Success Stories

What inspired you to attend PVCC? 

I wanted a college experience that felt personal and practical. PVCC’s reputation for strong student support, affordable tuition, and meaningful classroom experience drew me in. I was also looking for a place close to home where I could build strong relationships with instructors and peers while getting hands-on practice in education settings. Hearing from current students and alumni about how faculty invested in their success convinced me PVCC was the right place to start my path toward becoming a teacher.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

My major was Elementary Education, and I graduated in 2025. I’m proud to be part of the first cohort to complete the bachelor’s pathway through PVCC, which made the experience feel especially historic and motivating.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

The small-class environment stands out most. Courses were interactive and professors knew students by name, which created a strong sense of accountability and support. Another memorable aspect was the field placements and practicum experiences—being in real classrooms early on allowed me to apply theory to practice, build relationships with mentor teachers, and refine classroom management and lesson-planning skills in authentic settings. Those experiences were pivotal in helping me feel ready for a full-time teaching role.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

I’d describe PVCC as a welcoming, student-centered college where faculty are committed to student growth and practical learning. It’s a place that balances academic rigor with real-world experience, and it offers an affordable path to a meaningful career. I absolutely recommend PVCC—especially for students who value mentorship, hands-on training, and a community that invests in your success. For anyone aiming to enter any profession, PVCC provides both strong preparation and a supportive environment., no matter your age, skill or experience.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students? 

Take full advantage of the opportunities PVCC offers: get involved in field experiences, seek mentorship from faculty, and participate in campus activities that build your professional skills. Don’t wait to start hands-on practice—classroom placements and volunteer work are where you’ll grow fastest. Also, be proactive about networking with peers and local educators; those connections often lead to job opportunities and meaningful collaborations.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC… 

After graduating in 2025 as part of PVCC’s first bachelor’s cohort, I completed my required licensure coursework and my final student-teaching placement in a local elementary school. That placement turned into an application for a role, right there at the school I was at! Soon after, I accepted the 4th grade position as an elementary classroom teacher. It's so bittersweet because this was the school I went to when I was in elementary school! Currently I teach 26 goofy, amazing and hardworking kiddos where I design inclusive lessons, use formative assessment to guide instruction, and collaborate with colleagues to support students’ social-emotional and academic development. I continue to engage in professional learning—workshops, peer observations, and collaborative planning—to refine my practice. This hasn't been easy—there were many days I wanted to give up—but in the end I know how hard I've worked to get where I am today.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path? 

Start by exploring what genuinely interests you—try volunteering, internships, or short-term work experiences to test your assumptions. Talk to instructors, advisors, and professionals in fields you’re considering to get a realistic sense of day-to-day work and growth opportunities. Choose programs that offer practical experience (like fieldwork or internships) and mentorship. Lastly, remain flexible: interests and goals evolve, and real-world experience often reveals new directions you might not have considered.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges? 

One of my greatest successes has been creating a classroom community where students feel respected, motivated, and willing to take academic risks. Seeing students grow in confidence and achievement—especially those who struggled at first—has been incredibly rewarding. A major challenge has been managing the workload and emotional demands of teaching, particularly during the first year. Balancing lesson planning, grading, communication with families, and self-care required me to develop better time-management systems, seek mentorship from experienced teachers, and learn to set realistic expectations while still pushing for student growth.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do? 

PVCC’s focus on hands-on learning and mentorship directly shaped my readiness for the classroom. Early field placements let me practice instructional routines, classroom management, and differentiation before stepping into a full-time role. The feedback loop with faculty—frequent, specific, and constructive—helped me refine my teaching strategies quickly. Indirectly, PVCC’s supportive community taught me the value of collaboration and reflective practice, both of which I rely on daily to improve instruction and support students.

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

The first class I took at PVCC was a Summer EMT course after my sophomore year in college. I wanted to get into medical school and getting that certification was going to be my open door into the medical field. I next came to PVCC after I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology. I had transferred schools during my degree but unfortunately my credits didn’t transfer with me. My plan going into college was to major in Psychology and take the required science classes to get into medical school as my electives, and then go into medical school right after, but this was not how it worked out. After graduating I had to individually take each science class and PVCC was where I did that.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC?

My focus was pre-med science classes so I took General Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry on top of the EMT course and the recertification EMT course after that.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

What I loved about taking my classes at PVCC was just how passionate everyone was. Each course I took there were classmates who were just excited to learn about science. We were there not because we had to be but because we wanted to be. I still follow several classmates on social media who I met in my classes at PVCC who are spread all over the world now.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why?

PVCC is where you go when you want to be excited about the process and the potential of what you could be. The instructors love what they do and are there to help you find what you will choose to be passionate about. I loved all my classes at PVCC, all my professors and would highly recommend the science courses at PVCC.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

My advice is to not feel like you have to rush to the finish line of your career. Take your time  learning about who you are and what makes you excited. Explore as many avenues as you can so that you can find that one thing you can do that doesn’t feel like work. One thing I've realized now that I'm finally in medical school, is that every new path life takes you on adds to who you will become. If I could have picked my path I would have missed out on so many experiences that grew me into the type of doctor I’m going to be. So my advice is to take the challenges and ride the wave to the future you.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After leaving PVCC I worked as a physical therapy technician while studying for the MCAT and applying to medical school. To be forthcoming I had to take the MCAT 3 times and applied to medical school twice but I am currently attending Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC and couldn’t be happier about where I ended up and the connections I am making.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

My advice is to try a bunch of new things and see what gets you the most excited and then do some research to see what work you can do in that field or even what new roles you can create. You only live once and I feel that doing something everyday that makes you happy is a pretty great way to spend your time.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

My greatest successes arose in the time I spent as a physical therapy technician. I got the chance to form relationships with patients and work with great mentors, all of whom I still talk to today. There is nothing better to me than teaching someone how to care for their bodies and I hope to continue that in my medical career. My greatest challenge came with my medical history of struggling through recovering from 7 concussions all after graduating college in 2016. I have never experienced a greater struggle but I feel the experience has helped me connect better with patients.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

Attending PVCC was what I needed in order to see that what I viewed as a tangent from my path was actually just me staying the course to being a doctor. The professors, especially Dr. Durandet, showed me what passion for your work is and how you can see the connection to what you love in almost anything.

What started out as an educational journey in Florida in pursuit of a Psychology degree ended up with Sarah Masten returning to Phoenix and embarking on her journey in the Nursing profession at PVCC.  Sarah began completing the necessary prerequisites and securing her EMT certification.  She then worked as an EMT while continuing to take additional classes.

She found the instructors at PVCC to be extremely good and very committed to her success as a student.  Their openness to questions and willingness to chat about professional and personal matters was very conducive to her ability to thrive.  Sarah stated her anatomy instructor was great.  "He was passionate about the subject matter and really cared about students’ success."  The hands-on opportunity to do a lot of dissection and the collaborative team environment was a highlight of her educational experience at PVCC. 

Sarah shared, “Once you get into healthcare there are so many options.  The community college setting is ideal to help a person figure out their path.  The environment is very flexible and affordable with instructors who have real life experiences to share with their students.”  Attending PVCC was a good way to maximize her resources and the education she received here provided her with a good foundation on which to build and advance in her profession. 

After completing her CNA and other prerequisite courses at PVCC, Sarah went on to get a BSN at Arizona State University. As a nurse, she worked in Neuroscience for more than a decade before deciding to return to Arizona State to complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice. Sarah finished her DNP in 2017 and has been working in Colorado as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Recently, she had the opportunity to teach future CNAs at local community colleges and assist with lab simulation and skills assessment. She also supervises and instructs nurse assistant students in the clinical setting.  Sarah shares, “It has been such a fun and rewarding career, and it all started at PVCC.”

Thank you to Sarah for paying it forward.

As an accounting major, giving consideration to the financial benefit of completing the first two years at PVCC was a “no brainer” for PVCC alumnus Sean Sehorn.  As a student athlete, Sean not only benefited from the small, intimate class sizes available to PVCC students, he also had the opportunity to practice time management and accountability from the onset.  It was essential that Sean complete assignments before going on the road for off-campus tennis tournaments even though this often meant completing them prior to their due date.  Sean found the Honors Program, coupled with his role as a student athlete, provided a wonderful network of like-minded students to interact with both in and out of the classroom.  Sean was recognized as a NJCAA Academic Achievement Honoree.

In the classroom, there were a couple of classes that provided a strong foundation for Sean’s future educational as well as professional endeavors.  Casey Durandet’s honors physics class was an opportunity to develop skills that he calls upon presently.  The complexity and long term nature of the class project gave him the confidence to present on any topic.  He is able to draw on that sense of accomplishment when faced with public speaking opportunities as well as challenges in his profession.  Jeanne Franco’s accounting class solidified for Sean that an academic major shift from architecture to accounting was the right move for him.  The commonality of finance really resonates with Sean as he views it as a common thread that we all encounter on a daily basis and having the opportunity to delve into this program of study has been extremely gratifying and led to his current role as Audit Senior at Deloitte.

In summary, Sean provided two key reasons PVCC is an ideal choice for students trying to select an educational environment:  1) Small, intimate class size.  PVCC offers a classroom environment conducive to considerable faculty student interaction and the opportunity to connect to other students and the professor with individualized support.  2) Return on investment.  It is important to consider the price versus the value one is getting.  Long term consequences of significant financial debt make attending PVCC a wise and prudent choice.

What inspired you to attend PVCC? 

PVCC was brand new when I started - Yes, it was that long ago! You had the comfort of seeing a lot of your friends from high school but meeting unexpected new friends was even better.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC?

I was getting my prerequisites so I could transfer to ASU. At that time, I didn't know which major I wanted to pursue, but I did like writing. I took an English class with a teacher - I cannot remember his name - but he worked for Vim & Vigor magazine. I turned in a report and said, "I like writing, but I’m not a very good writer." He responded, "I wouldn't say that." He smiled and handed me my report with a B+. No, it's not an A, but that positive response got me to take my writing more seriously and I ended up getting my degree in Broadcast Journalism and worked as a News Producer for more than a decade.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

I remember bonding with people in my Spanish and Public Speaking classes. Many of them I am still in touch with today. I took dance classes and became friends with the instructor who started her own dance team. We performed at several events around the valley including Pinnacle Peak Patio - remember that place?

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

PVCC is a great school to get you comfortable with requirements for a university. The Puma campus has grown so much since my day, and I love that there are so many more career opportunities for this generation of students.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students? 

Don't rush or put unnecessary pressure on yourself! Yes, focus on your education, but take the time to enjoy new things! This is your time to explore! You never know what small opportunity could turn into a huge career.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC… 

From PVCC I went to ASU where I got an internship at a local news station. After I graduated in 1996, I got my first job as an Associate Producer. My first job as an actual News Producer came in the form of a morning show in Washington State. I enjoyed my time in the great northwest where I met my husband, but I came back to Phoenix in the early 2000s where I worked as a New Producer for 4 more years. I then developed a love for sales and working with people. Over the last decade, I've worked in several sales positions. Now, I find myself in the banking system learning a whole new career.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path? 

My advice to students is be OPEN to new things and TRY them!! This is your time! I was a little stubborn about learning new things (I was young and thought I knew it all). Once I understood education is about expanding our own personal world - learning science, music, literature, arts, language - I realized it's a great thing to get excited about!!

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges? 

My greatest success was taking two news shows from last place to first! The greatest challenge - is dealing with an uncontrolled environment. For example, I was producing a live show for the World Series in 2001 when the Phoenix Police Department said we had to move our satellite truck - while we were on air - because it was obstructing foot traffic. That was a wild newscast, but the show must go on!!

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do? 

I was still a little casual about education when I started at PVCC. Young and naive, I thought it was something I had to do, but when I realized I had a choice in learning about things I loved - I took it more seriously. It mentally prepared me for university life of being independent while practicing discipline to make my life my own.

Attracted by a newspaper article announcing a new certification program at Paradise Valley Community College, Sharan Godwin decided the time had come to pursue her vision of becoming an entrepreneur.  Sharan started her business, Crime Clean Decontamination in 1994 and has been stewarding her small business successfully ever since.  Her Biohazardous (Infectious) Waste Specialization enables her to address these types of remediation jobs in addition to remediating car crash and crime scenes.

PVCC provided Sharan “the door to open and then pursue success.” The relationships she developed with her instructors (namely Bob Treloar and Suzanne Barnes) continue to provide her with support and encouragement.  Their high-level commitment to students was both an inspiration and a guiding light as Sharan navigated her role as small business leader.  They were her mentors.  Her college experience gave her the desire to be successful and professional.  As Sharan reflects on her PVCC experience, she appreciates the caliber of her teachers, the amount of knowledge they shared and their attention to the details, and the engaging nature of the classroom environment as key components of her experience.

Sharan’s commitment to timeliness, dependability, continuing education in hazardous waste and dedication to detail has enabled her to steadily grow her business.  Compassion is perhaps one of the most important requirements for the service Sharan provides.  Public health and safety is at stake and Sharan views what she does as “not a job but a lifestyle of service and compassion.”   In closing, Sharan shared, “PVCC's curriculum and dynamic, interactive class studies gave me the confidence to go after my dream.”

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

My daughter Eleni enrolled in classes at Phoenix College, and I needed to drive her, so I decided to take some classes in accounting. After researching accounting professors, I found that PVCC's Lynn Clark was very highly regarded, so I sent her an email. I was so impressed that I decided to drop my daughter at Phoenix College and drive to PVCC for my classes. I was just going to take a couple classes, but Professor Clark inspired me to continue my education and I ended up earning my associates degree in accounting.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

I graduated with an associates degree in accounting in 2024.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

Being in a class and, during introductions, one of the other students had been in high school with one of my children.

Another thing was the first time I walked onto campus for the first day of classes. I was greeted by a man who asked me if there was anything he could do to help. I said I needed to get an ID card, and he walked me over and made sure everything went smoothly. I later learned this was Mike Ho, leading by example.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why?

There are many things to like about PVCC. In contrast to a large university, professors notice when you are a good student. Students are engaged and integrated into the community.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

Try to get involved. There are so many opportunities no matter what your background.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

I am a caregiver and community volunteer. I have worked part time as a bookkeeper and assisting with the roll out of the accounting bachelor's degree.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Take a sampling of classes to find your interest. Even if you take a class that doesn't end up being your career, you will learn something

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

That would have been at Bank of America in the mid 1990s, being in charge of the launch of the cash rebate credit card.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

My classes at PVCC have helped me in so many ways. The tax classes I have taken left me feeling empowered and able to help others. I still volunteer at PVCC doing taxes for lower income taxpayers.

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

After completing my elementary and secondary education as a homeschooler, I chose to attend PVCC due to its low cost and close proximity.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

I started in Fall 2008, with the pursuit of completing my general education requirements and completed an Associate of Arts in 2012.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

One of the memorable moments was Fall 2010, taking my first communication course taught by Tom Simpson. It was the first initial class that sparked affirmation on the program of study that later chose for my undergraduate when I transferred to Arizona State University.

How would you describe PVCC to others? Would you recommend PVCC and why? 

My perspective of my experience at PVCC might be unique to others in that it was my first real experience inside a classroom. Initially slightly intimidated by the diversity of adult-learners mixed with freshmen and other demographics, I was also excited and encouraged by the variety of life experiences and different perspectives that were brought into the classrooms.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

I’m sure my advice could alter depending on each person, but an overall piece of advice that would apply to all is to be intentional with your approach. I took many classes that did not transfer into the 4 year university. I would strongly encourage connecting with your counselors to confirm the classes not only apply for your associate programs but are also aligned with the transfer guides into the bachelors level program you aspire to transfer into.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After leaving PVCC, I transferred to Arizona State University to complete my bachelor’s in Communication. After graduation, I started out my career working for a small company called Porter Barn Wood, where I held various tasks, which included handling their social media pages, e-commerce / website sales, in addition to handling sales at the yard. In 2015, I started working at Grand Canyon University, where I have worked since as a University Counselor for their online programs. I also acquired my MBA in 2020 from GCU.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Biggest piece of advice on how to choose your career path would be to not be afraid to ask questions or ask to shadow people. Figure out what you enjoy doing. If you like working with your hands, if you’re mathematically inclined, a people-person, or if you are able to handle blood, etc. From there with more conversations you’ll eventually figure out the big picture. Then from there you can keep your eyes on that motivation to persevere through the challenges and obstacles that will be part of the journey.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

The biggest success I’ve had with every single job is my ability and willingness to adapt to the demands that are thrown each day. The challenges that come along are the negative thoughts of complacency, but when you’re able to overcome that obstacle and you welcome becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, big things are bound to happen.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

My experience at PVCC, helped by preparing me on working with people from so many different areas of life. No matter what the job is, both internal and external customers will vary in knowledge, experience, and how they communicate. Adapting to these aspects will definitely help set you apart from others.

Susan Karoubi loves networking and sharing her positive experiences at PVCC. While at PVCC, Susan completed post baccalaureate coursework focused on the sciences (EMT, anatomy, human pathology and physiology) to add to her Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University West Campus. While at ASU, Susan was a member of the Barrett Upper Division Students Honors Program. She received the Honors Medallion upon completion of her thesis, required coursework, and the 3.25 GPA requirement for graduating with honors recognition.

Susan cites two PVCC instructors, Dr. Anthony Lamanna and Dr. John Hayashi, who were influential as she pursued her original goal of admission to medical school.  These two faculty members were inspiring and supportive of Susan’s pre-health journey. They played a key role in supporting her application to medical school by supporting her candidacy with letters of recommendation. Paula Crossman was also a significant advocate for Susan and provided feedback on her medical school application essays as well as a letter of recommendation.

To students considering PVCC as their educational provider, Susan provides an emphatic, “Yes. PVCC teachers actually make time for their students. The PVCC Science department faculty are amazing - they are so good! Many of the faculty members have professional experience in the fields they are teaching and they are very committed to the success and educational experience of their students. This makes for an ideal learning environment.”

As a PVCC Student Ambassador for two semesters during the pandemic, Susan embraced this opportunity to engage with social media to provide study tips to students, “Take notes by hand! Even though so many classes use Power Points, taking your notes by hand helps with memory retention and remembering more in the long term.” She was also actively engaged in taking videos and photos to share campus resources and information through social media, the college website, and the college YouTube channel. This role was the springboard into her foray into the social media arena. She harnessed the power of social media to develop her own YouTube channel designed to help guide students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. Susan shared, “I am now very comfortable with social media. The more you grow up and grow out, the better.” 

Susan laid the foundation for a pursuit in the field of medicine by seeking employment opportunities that would afford her the opportunity to view the profession from the perspective of the patient. While attending classes at PVCC, she was employed full-time as a Patient Experience Coordinator at a physical therapy clinic. Prior to that experience she worked part-time as a physical therapy technician. Additionally, as a mentor for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), she provided ASU West students with resources and connections needed to become competitive and well-rounded applicants to pre-health programs. While no longer pursuing a career in Naturopathic Medicine, Susan is currently enrolled in a Masters of Public Health in Applied Epidemiology through the University of Arizona online.

Best wishes to Susan as she embarks on completion of her Masters Degree.

Susie Satta started her higher education journey at PVCC.  What started out as a plan to take a few courses while able to continue living at home ended up being an opportunity to develop lifelong friendships coupled with the freedom to figure out what area of study she wanted to pursue.  Susie shared, “I was able to do more exploration due to the affordability of classes.”

Susie appreciated the one-on-one interaction with her professors.  “In difficult subject matter areas, this was especially significant as it enabled me to get a better education in my general education classes.”  The small class size was more conducive to settling in and being able to get the academic support needed in comparison to the large, lecture-style general education classes offered at our state 4-year institutions.

Susie fondly recalls the public speaking class she took some 13 years ago at PVCC.  She draws on what she learned in Felicia Ramirez’s class and finds it relevant in her career today.  Additionally, a marine biology class provided a great opportunity to explore her interests in marine science.

Upon finishing her Associates Degree at PVCC, Susie completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media Studies at ASU and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  Susie started her Digital Marketing business in 2018 specializing in social media strategy development and implementation.  As a PVCC Alumna, this opportunity to share the PVCC story with our community is especially meaningful.  Susie enjoys seeing the transformative changes that have occurred since her time as a student at PVCC. 

What inspired you to attend PVCC?

My journey at PVCC began through the Early College program. As a 15 year old, I was initially nervous and hesitant when it came to this opportunity, but my brother encouraged me to apply and I am forever grateful he did.

What was your major or focus of study at PVCC? And what year did you graduate?

Associates in Business, Fall 2020.

What were one or two of the most memorable aspects of your student experience at PVCC?

English was always my toughest subject growing up since it is my second language, but Professor Noschka changed my perspective. His class inspired me to write in my free time and gave me more confidence in my writing abilities. In fact, I now have a goal of publishing my very own book!

Being a Lead Peer Leader is another memorable aspect of my experience at PVCC. I learned the value of being surrounded by like-minded individuals and ultimately discovered my purpose of helping others.

How would you describe PVCC to others?

I would describe PVCC as home. Home of generous, understanding, and influential people. I would most definitely recommend PVCC because everyone is welcome and everyone belongs.

What piece of advice would you give to PVCC students?

Don't let fear of the unknown hold you back from trying new things. I am forever grateful I took the leap as a 15 year old and began my journey at PVCC.

Tell us about your journey after leaving PVCC…

After graduating from PVCC in December of 2020, I transferred to ASU where I obtained my Bachelors in Business Administration. Once I graduated in August 2022, I was searching for jobs for 8 months and felt discouraged until I was blessed with my current career at ASU as a Project Coordinator. I am now thriving in my career and plan on starting my MBA in Spring 2024.

How would you advise students on how to choose their educational or career path?

Initially, I was unsure of which educational and career path to choose and I felt lost. The silver lining is that uncertainty opens you to endless opportunities. Keep an open mind, and give various industries a chance. Treat your educational/career path as an experiment and don't get comfortable.

In your career journey, what has been one of your greatest successes and one of your greatest challenges?

One of my greatest successes in my career journey is the people I have met along the way. From working at a movie theater to interning at the Senate to working in education, I contribute my success to those around me.

On the other hand, one of my greatest challenges was feeling immense pressure as a first-generation American. Luckily, the communities I am a part of have made me feel at home.

How did your experiences at PVCC either directly or indirectly impact the work that you do?

Working as a Lead Peer Leader at PVCC peaked my interest in working in education and helping others. PVCC helped me find my purpose.

Theresa Mazza has had a remarkable journey. From sous chef creating recipes and menus for celebrities, athletes and high profile clients to entrepreneur and brand ambassador with stops along the way to complete her Bachelors of Science in Health Promotion and a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Then it was on to get her Masters of Public Health. Theresa was proud of these accomplishments and yet something was missing.

Theresa came to PVCC to pursue her passion: nutrition. She enrolled in the Associates of Applied Science in Dietetic Technology to become a Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR). She says, “My time at PVCC is literally why I do what I do now. The number one thing our professors conveyed was to always be professional and make connections.” Theresa made a good impression on one of the preceptors and she recommended Theresa to her neighbor, a registered dietitian that needed social media support. What began as a part-time hustle blossomed into Theresa starting her own business all from a connection she made during her time in this program. She shares, “To say my life has changed for the better because of this program is an understatement.”

Theresa appreciated the diversity of the students in this program. “I learned so much from my fellow students.” She had not thought of including the need for more education around foods from different cultures. “MyPlate and dietary recommendations are based heavily on the American diet and don't showcase foods from different ethnicities and backgrounds. The students in my classes opened my eyes to a lot of things in the field of nutrition.”

Theresa strongly advocates for PVCC, “The professors and staff are all professional, knowledgeable and amazing humans. I could not have imagined doing this degree anywhere else.” The connections Theresa made at PVCC surpass those from other educational institutions she had degrees from.

One of the highlights of her experience occurred during the community rotation for the dietetic technology practicum. Theresa developed a webinar series that included students and faculty from dietetics, nursing, exercise science and EMT. This five-part series focused on diabetes management for community members and the fitness center. “I loved putting together the slides and presenting my expertise on nutrition and diabetes. You could tell it really helped the people watching and there was always an amazing turnout.”

Among a host of wonderful professors, Tricia Montgomery “went above and beyond to ensure we would have the best interning experience possible during the pandemic. She designed fun and creative ways for us to hit our competencies and she was always there when we needed her. She has become a friend and colleague and has helped me with finding preceptors for my upcoming dietetics degree.” Additionally, Lori Anonsen and Margie Tate were great influencers during Theresa’s time at PVCC and beyond. “Margie and I connected over my background in public health and we all treated each other like humans vs. teacher/student. Lori has been so supportive of my unconventional journey post-graduation. She supports my entrepreneurial spirit and is the first to brag on me and I truly appreciate that.”

Theresa is currently completing a Master’s of Science in Applied Nutrition.

Tiara confidently states that “PVCC provides all the resources for students to be successful.” As support for this proclamation, she points to the coursework and extracurricular opportunities available at PVCC as brought to life by its remarkable faculty and staff.  As illustrated by Tiara herself, however, these opportunities need students to be fulfilled.

During her enrollment at PVCC, Tiara interacted with a number of wonderful people, such as, Regina Garcia, Ivette Quintero, and Cheryl Brinson, who genuinely care about students.  Tiara shared that they were very helpful and passionate about helping students be successful.  In addition, Tiara singled out Academic Advisor Beth Whiteman’s help in sorting out her classes and making sure that she stayed on track with her transfer goals.

Thinking back to her time at PVCC, Tiara recalls having both the opportunity to help the living and learn from the dead.  Working with cadavers in her anatomy and physiology class was one of her most remarkable and unique experiences at PVCC. Tiara also shared that, as a Work Study student, she received positive feedback from a student whom she had helped locate scholarships and grants. Tiara served an important role in helping this student to continue her education.

Tiara recommends PVCC to others because faculty and staff are very resourceful, helpful and passionate about students and their success.  She specifically recalled her English 102 Professor, Bill Smillie, in helping her to hone her writing skills.

Tiara shared, “Everything I learned at PVCC was critical to successfully completing my degree in Community Health at ASU.”  That is a ringing endorsement from an alumna and a PVCC employee!

A visit to the Fresh Start Women’s Center proved to play a significant role in Tiffany Matthews’ desire to start a small business. While there, Tiffany saw a brochure promoting the Small Business Start-up Certificate for PVCC Women in Business. “As a woman of faith,” Tiffany felt this opportunity was a sign that “God placed this path before me.” Tiffany came to the Women’s Center to update her Word & Excel skills while transitioning from being married to single again and walked away with support toward achieving her goal of becoming an entrepreneur.

The Fresh Start Women’s Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Program is offered in partnership with PVCC to exclusively offer the Small Business Start-up Certificate to meet the needs of women who wish to become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses. Tiffany shared, “I loved that it was an online course Monday thru Friday with the class and professors meeting up on Saturday to go over the week’s classwork and homework in addition to offering time for review. The program offered opportunities to network with other small business entrepreneurs and the faculty’s ability to relate to students was amazing,” said Tiffany.

The most influential instructor she encountered through this program was Dominic Bartola. For Tiffany, his personal story was both inspiring and instructive. Learning how he has confronted challenges and solved problems coupled with his commitment to become exceptional was evidence that “anything is possible to those who believe, focus, and execute. The way he taught different perspectives, caused paradigm shifts” and was inspirational to see. She also appreciated the support and guidance of Norma Chandler and Dina Preston-Ortiz. Their compassion and support enabled her to complete the program despite managing several personal challenges. And, although she “wasn’t looking for it, it was the perfect opportunity for me,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany says that her medical education background and work experience before completing the Small Business Start-up Certificate have assisted her growth at WebPT, where she has been employed for the last eight years. In 2020, despite the pandemic, recession, inflation, racial uproars and shifts in the workforce, she felt the need to pivot. She ultimately decided to stay with WebPT. She accepted a promotion as an Onboarding Project Manager and Trainer with a significant raise and then shortly after that her duties pivoted to Onboarding Intake Specialist, Project Manager, and Database builder which earned her another raise.

“My experience has shown me and others that the certification I received from PVCC can be used in many different aspects, whether starting your own business or working for a small business to help in the growth and success of someone else's business. As I am still working on my personal goal of becoming my own boss. The experience has been a great opportunity, and I am thankful to God and the alignment he had in bringing me to the Fresh Start Women’s Center to team up with PVCC,” said Tiffany.

“I hope that others who read my story will be motivated to go forth and pursue their dreams in spite of what is going on in the world.”

After a break from college due to health reasons, Tira decided it was time to return.  Originally her degree was in Theatre; however, she wasn’t sure her “old” credits would transfer. “While waiting in the lobby to speak with PVCC’s Theatre Director, Andrea Robertson, I heard students talking and laughing in the green room. The whole atmosphere in the department just felt very inviting. What stood out to me about the program were the different courses offered to help you grow in your profession. It had always been a goal of mine to perform in Musical Theatre and PVCC offered a Musical Theatre Workshop course.”

Several of Tira’s instructors were influential. “Craig Kosnik’s creativity and point of view during the production of Minotaur truly inspired me to dig deeper when it comes to playing a character on stage. Craig’s choice of warm up and critical thinking exercises impacted how I got ready before for a show.”  Andrea Robertson provides “unconditional support for every student and truly shares her passion for the arts when instructing a class or directing performers on stage. Her coaching style influenced the way I approach auditions and has truly added to my success in landing current roles.” Karla Frederick‘s Intro to Technical Theatre course was “so inspiring! She took the time to provide hands on experience and challenged students to try other roles off stage like Properties Design and Wardrobe. Her courses allowed growth as an artist and provided a true understanding of what to expect when working for a professional theatre company.” Performing in a musical had always been one of Tira’s goals and Piper Pac-Smith’s workshop instilled the confidence Tira needed to go out and audition.

Tira’s most memorable aspect of her student experience was being nominated for an AriZoni Award (Supporting Actress in a Non – Musical Play “Minotaur”). “The camaraderie and support of my fellow students/cast will be something I remember forever.”

The Intro to Technical Theatre class had a profound impact on Tira’s PVCC experience.  She says, “It gave me more opportunity to watch live, professional theatre and see all the moving parts to a show in real time. It kept me motivated to finish my degree and pursue a career in the arts.”

“PVCC is a place where you can thrive as a student and truly find your passion.  My advice would be to try any course you are interested in, you will be amazed at the skill sets you didn’t know you had.”

Tira adds, “the support students get from the staff in the theatre department is comparable to none. Due to the training and experience provided through PVCC, I was able to work with many different theatre companies around the valley; The Phoenix Theatre Company, The Bridge Initiative, Tempe Center for the Arts and Desert Foothills Theatre to name a few.”