Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Awards—an annual honor presented to alumni who exemplify professional achievement, community and volunteer service, commitment to lifelong learning, positive social change, and meaningful engagement with the PVCC community.
This year’s awardees—Wesley Winter, Stephanie Papadopoulos, and Emiliano Toscano—exemplify the spirit of PVCC’s values, leaving a lasting impact not only on the college, but also the broader community.
“Each of these individuals represents what we hope all our students aspire to become—engaged citizens, passionate learners, and generous community members,” said Dr. Jana Schwartz, PVCC President. “They are living proof that PVCC doesn’t just prepare students for careers—we prepare them to lead, give back, and thrive.”
Winter, a triple-major PVCC graduate, has been a champion of lifelong learning and mentorship. While attending PVCC, Winter was named an All-USA Scholar in Spring 2023 and completed a prestigious STEM internship at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). He graduated in December 2023 with three associate degrees—in science with an emphasis in physics, arts with an emphasis in mathematics, and applied science in engineering technology. In Fall 2021, Winter was also awarded the Puma Pin for his outstanding representation of PVCC's core values.
Now attending Arizona State University (ASU), Winter continues to be a beacon of inspiration and remains deeply connected to PVCC—volunteering for events like Puma Explorers, where he engages with visiting middle schoolers to spark their curiosity in science.
“I was impressed with the way Wes interacted with students when he was a Peer Mentor for my classes,” said Dr. Casey Durandet, PVCC Physics faculty as well as a mentor to Winter. “He is a natural leader, and students benefited tremendously from his tutelage and looked up to him as an example of a success story.”
Papadopoulos earned her recognition by going above and beyond in giving back to PVCC’s Accounting program. Volunteering as a tutor for the challenging Intermediate Accounting course, Papadopoulos attends every class to provide hands-on, real-time support—boosting student confidence and improving academic outcomes. She also gives back to the broader community through her work with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, helping residents navigate complex tax processes.
“Stephanie truly exemplifies the spirit of excellence, leadership, and dedication that this award represents,” said Accounting Professor Lynn Clark. “She has made a lasting difference in our students’ success.”
And last, but certainly not least, Toscano has been making waves in PVCC’s technical arts and Esports programs. What began as volunteer work quickly became a pivotal role as technical arts liaison between the Esports program and the Center for the Performing Arts (CPA). His work during the Fall 2024 Esports tournaments was so impactful that he was hired as a consultant to continue mentoring students and managing technical operations.
“Emi’s command of live event technology was so impressive, the CPA team recommended him as an intern for the Phoenix Theater Company,” said Dr. Chris Scinto, Division Chair of Fine & Performing Arts. “Now, he’s been hired as the Front of House Audio Technician for their production of Jersey Boys. And that’s where he is tonight!”
These outstanding alumni are a reminder of how powerful education, mentorship, and community engagement can be.
“Our selection committee was moved by the incredible stories of service and impact these alumni have created,” said Becky Barndt, who led the 2025 selection process. “Each honoree is not only successful in their field but continues to elevate PVCC by staying connected and giving back in meaningful ways.”
To learn more about PVCC’s alumni program, visit the website.