As Paradise Valley Community College approaches its 40th anniversary this December, President Dr. Jana Schwartz reflects on both the college’s proud history and its bright future. Since breaking ground in 1985, PVCC has always remained committed to meeting the needs of North Phoenix and beyond. Rooted in the vision of engaged community members and forward-thinking leaders, this year’s theme, “Fresh Start,” invites students, faculty, and staff to embrace new beginnings while honoring PVCC’s long-standing mission.
Below, PVCC President Dr. Jana Schwartz shares how the college is building on its legacy, fostering innovation, and preparing for even more growth.
- The theme “Fresh Start” makes us think about new beginnings. What does a fresh start mean for PVCC this year, for both our students and our college community?
- How do you plan to support students, employees, and others who are coming back or starting something new at PVCC?
- “New Energy” brings to mind excitement and momentum. What new programs, events, or ideas are you most excited about for the 2025–2026 school year?
- With “Same Purpose” in mind, how will PVCC stay true to its mission while still growing and trying new things?
- How do you hope to keep this theme alive, not just during Convocation or Opening Week, but all year long?
This year marks a pivotal moment for PVCC; last year, we received our reaffirmation of accreditation, which was a strong vote of confidence from our accreditors that they both recognized the good work we have been doing and trusted us to be forward-thinking in our approach to the future. This is our time for renewal, a chance to collectively shape the identity of our college for the next decade. We're not just looking at tomorrow; we're setting the stage for PVCC in 2035.
This means we'll be forward-focused, actively building a college that is relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of today's students and our vibrant community. This is a truly exciting time to design the future of PVCC, and we invite everyone – students, staff, and faculty to join us in this transformative journey.
Forty years ago this December, the North Valley Education Center broke ground at our current campus location, which would become PVCC. This campus was built by engaged community members and innovative college leaders who were focused on the needs of North Phoenix. We now have that same opportunity to consider who we are now and where we want to be going forward. We are figuratively breaking new ground for a fresh start to PVCC’s future.
Every year, I encourage our students to “try something new.” Our students regularly inspire us by putting themselves out there, such as trying a new class or joining a club they have never been a part of, or simply taking the chance and speaking with their faculty during office hours. We often can see the benefits for our students in how they make new connections, learn about themselves, find new interests and equally important, find things they don’t like.
We need to create the conditions on campus for all of us to take that new, innovative approach to trying something new. I will continue to encourage us all to get to know each other, engage in something new on campus, and ask questions like “what if” or “how can we”? And when those questions are asked, I am encouraging us all to spend some time engaging in that space, opening our hearts and minds to new opportunities and possibilities.
We will have many opportunities to come together as a community and share ideas, and I encourage all students, staff, and faculty to be really curious in their own spaces of influence on how we might do things differently.
I am absolutely thrilled at our progress with our two Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration, Accounting and Elementary/Special Education. These programs are both really growing, offering us an outstanding opportunity to best serve our local community. I am also excited about our work to establish our PVCC Business Institute and expand our reach to local business and industry partners.
I am grateful to our leaders across the college community, in both formal and informal roles. As I spent time this summer reflecting on the world happening around the college, in every corner there is an excitement for new ideas and ways of approaching the work. I am also thrilled to see collaboration happening around the campus in new and innovative ways. It is amazing what can happen when teams come together to collaboratively develop solutions to problems and ideas.
Looking ahead, we are going to be working a lot on processes and systems. And, while for many, this does not sound exciting, I believe having clarity on how we make decisions, allocate resources, and plan for the future will help all of us be better poised to make positive, exciting changes. I am encouraging all students, faculty and staff to ask ”what is the process for that?”. We are a learning-centered college, so knowing how things happen can lead to true innovation and knowing how to get support for new ideas. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn together as we set a path to the future together.
PVCC has its roots in being the “Community’s College”. We were developed to be a good partner with our local community. We will reaffirm this commitment and continue to look for ways that we can be the community’s go-to partners.
Learning is at the core of all that we do, and we are always looking for ways to best support the most effective learning environment for our students and our community. Additionally, I believe deeply in our mission to “educate the whole person.” As new PVCC faculty and staff have met with me and as I have learned from our alumni of PVCC, what often stands out for many is our caring community. Since our first president, Dr. John Cordova, serving the whole student and developing the support each person needs to reach their personal goals has been our focus. I believe the personalized academic and personal support, tight-knit community feel, and engaged campus community have been hallmarks of the PVCC culture and will continue to be our guiding light. We will continue to innovate and grow as we keep centered on the values that set us apart.
Last Spring, we started the semester by encouraging everyone to “plant trees” and highlighted the quote, ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’
We are now moving forward with truly cultivating the ground and culture needed to help those trees truly develop and grow as we keep an eye on the future. We have set out an ambitious fall plan to include: assessment, developing unit planning goals, renewing our mission, vision, and values, implementing the strategic action plan, reflecting on our responsibility to prepare our students for the ever-changing workforce, and developing systems, processes and documentation to support our work. We will have many opportunities to come together as a full college and to host conversations, and I will be working with leaders across the college to support the learning within their own units. We are going to work together to continue to stay focused on those areas in which we can have an impact and support the students here at PVCC.
All of that being said, I want to acknowledge that the pace of change, the impact of our state and federal changes, and our own priorities and initiatives can lead to a sense of overwhelm. I understand that and am going to work to also provide clarity and calm in the midst of all the changes coming to us. While we work together to plan for changes, I also encourage us to take care of one another. Sometimes it is your moment to step up, and sometimes it is your moment to rest and step back and trust that your community will move forward. This is a long-term vision; we will make important steps forward, we likely will make some mistakes, and we will have to pivot as we progress. I encourage every person to also prioritize their own health and well-being so we can stay in this game together. Reach out when you need support and offer support to one another as needed. It is our commitment to engagement and care for each other that will hold us all up.
Rise, Roar, Repeat!
Let’s have a great year, Pumas!