Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) has hit a major milestone in its Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program: the first cohort of students has officially earned the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, a nationally recognized certification for early childhood educators. To date, 20 individuals from across Maricopa County have reported receiving their CDA through PVCC’s program. The group represents four public school districts and seven private programs spanning Southeast Phoenix to Peoria in North Phoenix.
This achievement coincides with a landmark anniversary – The College Center for Early Childhood Education at PVCC is celebrating 25 years of educating and supporting early childhood professionals, having first began its program in 2000.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see how far our ECE program has come over the past 25 years,” said Christie Colunga, PVCC Early Childhood Education Faculty, who joined the college in 2002 and helped formally establish The College Center in 2007. “What started as a few dedicated classes has grown into a comprehensive, community-driven program that supports students both academically and professionally. Watching our first cohort of CDA credentialed students succeed is a full-circle moment that reflects years of hard work, collaboration, and our deep commitment to Arizona’s early childhood workforce.”
The success of PVCC’s CDA cohort is rooted in the college’s strategic focus on workforce development. As the only college in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) prioritizing the CDA credential, PVCC has made a significant investment in expanding access to this critical certification.
With the support of the MCCCD Prop 207 Early Care and Education Workforce Development Grant, PVCC has embedded the CDA application process directly into its academic pathways, allowing students to earn college credit and a professional credential simultaneously, while receiving continuous support and mentorship. A significant part of earning the CDA credential includes direct work with children, and all of the students who received their CDA through PVCC’s program currently work hands-on with students daily. This real-world application not only meets credentialing requirements but also ensures that educators are immediately impacting their communities.
“By aligning our coursework with the CDA process and offering individualized support, we’re helping early childhood educators gain both knowledge and confidence,” said Colunga. “It’s more than earning a credential—it’s about raising the quality of care and education in early learning environments.”
A Supportive, Real-world Approach
PVCC’s ECE Program is known for turning disconnected resources into a cohesive community of practice, giving students tools to navigate their educational journeys while fostering collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth.
Students like Addilene Hernandez have felt the impact firsthand. Previously working as a floater teacher in a public school district, Hernandez found the CDA program at PVCC approachable and empowering.
“The main reason I chose PVCC was the support I received from Ana Stigsson, who made me feel at ease and confident,” Hernandez shared. “Her encouragement gave me the strength to face my fears, believe in myself, and finally pursue the degree I’ve always deserved.”
With a self-paced structure, the program allowed Hernandez to balance coursework alongside work and family life. Now pursuing her Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, she described the support as “not only professional, but personal with genuine care and encouragement.”
Katie Carter agreed, who first heard about PVCC’s ECE program through her employer’s partnership with the college. What began as a path to a CDA credential quickly became a journey toward further education.
“I enjoyed learning so much that I decided to continue working toward my associate degree in ECE,” said Carter, who now oversees a program serving 126 children. “PVCC has been amazing; I was given step-by-step guidance on everything, signing up for classes, applying for scholarships, taking my CDA test, and creating an account with the CDA Council. All of the instructors and advisors have been wonderful and supportive.”
Maria Huitzil Flores also discovered PVCC’s ECE program through her employer – Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center. With the support of her PVCC professors, she applied for a First Things First scholarship that helped fund her coursework and credentialing process.
PVCC’s monthly virtual Coffee Talks became a lifeline for Flores, providing answers, encouragement, and clarity throughout her CDA journey. “During those Coffee Talks, I learned exactly how to obtain my CDA and got all of my questions answered,” Flores said. “I felt like I wasn’t alone in the process.”
Flores frequently recommends the program to colleagues and peers, and said, “I’ve grown both professionally and personally since enrolling and am so grateful for all the encouragement along the way.”
For Iris Castro, enrolling at PVCC was about building on her years of experience with young children. “I wanted to deepen my knowledge and grow professionally. The program guided me step by step, from understanding requirements to preparing my portfolio and documentation. I felt supported the whole way.”
Castro said that every class connected directly to the realities of the classroom. “It wasn’t just theory. Instructors used real-life examples from their own experience or from situations we brought up. That helped us understand the material on a deeper level and apply it right away.”
She added, “It’s more than just earning credits or a credential—it truly prepares you for the classroom. The instructors care about your success. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience like I do, you walk away with more confidence and stronger skills to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Looking ahead as PVCC celebrates its first CDA-credentialed cohort and 25 years of leadership in early childhood education, the college remains deeply committed to strengthening Arizona’s early childhood workforce – one passionate, prepared educator at a time.
To learn more about PVCC’s Early Childhood Education Program and upcoming CDA opportunities, visit: our website. To learn more about applying for the CDA credential, visit https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/.