Claire's childhood visions of grandeur to become a ballerina and own her own dance studio were not to be realized due to a variety of challenges--but this did not stop her from pursuing her Associates degree in business at PVCC. Claire "liked PVCC as it provided an opportunity to keep growing and get an education while I figured out what my new direction should be.” She “appreciated the small classroom size and the opportunity to get challenging classes out of the way in an environment where the teachers are readily accessible.”
One of her memories of her time at PVCC was submitting an entry to the student poetry contest and being featured in the PVCC student anthology publication. She also fondly remembers participating in Honors Forum. After two years at PVCC, she transferred her credits up to NAU where she flourished in NAU's School of Hotel & Restaurant Management.
Claire began her career working at Doubletree Hotels Corporation, however, a unique opportunity presented itself for her to create a high school program where students could earn dual enrollment credit and get an early look at the hospitality and tourism industry. For eighteen years she helped her students prepare for life after high school personally and professionally and served as adviser for Family Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). This included service projects that addressed local and international issues, and traveling with her students to such places as Uganda, El Salvador, and Costa Rica to learn about culture and causes. Claire often recalled her journey at PVCC and recommended attending a community college as an option for her high school students to ease into adult and college life and assume more responsibility.
Claire went on to complete her Masters in Education at NAU and then completed a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology through Grand Canyon University. Claire currently teaches Tourism Development & Management in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University, is adviser for the Tourism Student Association, and facilitates study abroad programs to such places as Fiji, Australia, Belize, and Botswana.
Despite having to forego her initial dream of being a ballerina and dance teacher, Claire appreciates the role it played in helping her develop her creativity and work ethic. She seeks to have a lasting impact on those she teaches and enjoys her role as the bridge between students and industry.
PVCC 1993 Grad - General Business