April is National Community College Month. And despite colleges shifting a significant number of classes to the online environment due to the pandemic, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) and colleges across the country are celebrating successes and raising awareness about the importance of our institutions for students and the communities that surround them.
Even during this pandemic, PVCC serves as a community leader and plays a vital role in supporting the needs of northeast Phoenix and northern Maricopa County. As part of the Maricopa District we are part of a system that provides workforce development programs for the highest demand jobs as well as the largest source for university transfer students. In terms of service, PVCC continues to host regular food distributions in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank, we have gathered and distributed medical supplies and protective gear for our healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19 and our nursing students have been engaged in giving vaccinations..
Now more than ever, public support is critical to the success of our programs, and there are simple ways you can help:
1. Share your PVCC story - write an op-ed or post about your PVCC experience on social media. Be sure to use #CCMonth and tag PVCC.
2. Use your voice - Talk about the college and the value of PVCC with your friends, colleagues and elected officials.
3. Recruit for PVCC - Recommend PVCC to those who will be attending college soon.
4. Invest in the college - Donate your time, treasure and talent to PVCC. A financial donation - big or small - can make an incredible impact in the life of a current student. You can even set up a scholarship to honor a beloved faculty member.
Last year, PVCC’s philanthropic support generated more than $118,000 for student support and more than $120,000 was awarded to our students in the form of 172 scholarships through the Maricopa Community College Foundation. Our incredible donors, alumni and President’s Community Advisory Council are shining ambassadors raising awareness of our great work. This great work, our mission, is still being delivered.
In addition, we’ve launched “PVCC Futures: Reimagining the Learning Experience 2023,” which is a compilation of aspirations, ideas and strategic directions forged into three plans to move our college boldly and confidently into the future.