Phoenix College/ASU Medical Laboratory Science Program Wins MCCCD Innovation Award

(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 10, 2012) – A unique partnership program between Phoenix College and Arizona State University to create more bachelor’s degree level medical laboratory scientists has earned PC the 2012 Innovation of the Year Award from Maricopa Community Colleges and League for Innovation in the Community College.

The ASU/PC Medical Laboratory Science Partnership Program received the Dr. Paul M. Pair Innovation of the Year Award May 1 at the Rio Salado Conference Center. The recognition comes with $2,000 to further PC’s winning innovation. The Innovation Award is named in memory and in honor of Dr. Paul M. Pair, long-time member and former president of the Maricopa Colleges Foundation Board and a pioneer in in the field of data processing education.

The Pair Award winner is chosen from innovation projects submitted by each of the Maricopa Community Colleges and the District Office. Each year, the Maricopa Community Colleges and the League for Innovation in the Community College co-sponsor the awards to recognize an employee or team of employees who have designed and implemented a significant innovation that has had a positive impact on the education of students.

Heather Moore, who received her Associates in Applied Science from the program in May, said the program led her to reevaluate her dreams and not settle for a two-year degree. She will begin work on a four-year Medical Laboratory Science degree in January 2013 at PC.

"I'm not the type of person satisified going halfway," said Moore, who shared her story with the committee charged with selecting the Pair award winner. "I have to go all the way. To have the opportunity to be a lead lab technician or supervisor and train others, you need a bachelor's degree. The way this program is structured, it is giving me that opportunity."

The PC program provides opportunities for students to earn a Bachelor’s of Applied Science by taking the majority, if not all, of their courses at Phoenix College. Students earn 90 credits from Phoenix College and 30 credits from Arizona State University and can essentially earn a bachelor's degree on the Phoenix College campus through hybrid delivery and videoconferencing technology.

The PC/ASU team consisting of Julie Stiak, Jeff Wolz, Dr. Sharon Halford, Dr. Maria Hesse, Dr. Casandra Kakar, Liz Parmelee, and Dr. David Young was recognized by the League for Innovation in the Community College for their roles in implementing the program.

“This prestigious innovation award validates the partnership with Arizona State University and use of innovative learning technologies in a hybrid delivery model,” said Julie Stiak, who co-directs the program for Phoenix College. “Clinical affiliates throughout the state are excited about this program and its potential as a staff professional development resource.”

The program saves students money by allowing them to pay PC’s lower tuition for 90 credits and they can take university-level courses on the PC campus because ASU provides associate professors to teach those courses at PC. Hybrid delivery and videoconferencing technology expand the program statewide and optimize student retention and success.

This is the second time in three years that Phoenix College has won the Pair Award. In 2009-2010, PC’s Schedule eZine, the digital flip magazine edition of the class schedule, took the top prize in 2009-2010.

Mayor Stanton to Speak at Phoenix College Commencement Ceremony May 11

(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 7, 2012) – City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton will address one of Phoenix College's largest classes of graduates at the 90th annual Phoenix College Commencement ceremony Friday, May 11, 2012.

The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of this year's outstanding crop of 425 graduates participating in the event. It will take place in Hoy Stadium at Phoenix College, 1202 W. Thomas Road, beginning at 7 p.m.

Mayor Stanton was sworn in as mayor of the country's sixth-largest city in January after winning the November runoff election. A former Phoenix City Council member who represented areas of north Phoenix, Mayor Stanton grew up in Phoenix, attending Cortez High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Marquette University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

The 2011-2012 graduating class includes 1,169 degree candidates and 642 certificate candidates. The Class of 2012 also has produced 53 students who have maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

In addition to a keynote speech by Mayor Stanton, other highlights will include a salutation by Benjamin Hoff, a valedictory address by Melissa Joy Jones, and announcement of the Diane H. Thomas scholarship, which provides a $10,000 scholarship to a graduating sophomore planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. The late Diane Thomas taught at PC in the 1980s.

Additionally, the PC 2011-2012 Distinguished Teaching Award will be presented to faculty member Dianne Miller from the Department of Communications, Reading, ASL and Education. A fireworks display will conclude the program.

Salutatorian Benjamin Hoff is receiving an Associate in Arts degree and plans to transfer to Arizona State University to continue pursuing a bachelor's and master's degree in Communications. Hoff is one of the first students to earn PC's new International Studies Certificate and has participated in PC's Model United Nations. Born with glaucoma, Hoff has never let his lack of sight stop him from achieving his academic goals and participating in extracurricular activities.

Valedictorian Melissa Joy Jones received her Associates in Applied Science degree in Fashion Design. Her goal is to become an entrepreneur and sell her own line of clothes. She graduates with a 4.0 grade point average. She also volunteers with her church and Habitat for Humanity. She plans to continue taking more advanced Fashion Design and Business courses.

Graduates, friends and family members attending the event are encouraged to use the North parking lot since spaces in the West parking lot are expected to fill up quickly.

Public Safety Update/Summary of Incidents/April 30-May 6, 2012
April 27; 11:23 am: A fight occurred on the second floor of the “E” building near the
Men’s restroom. The student who remained had minor injuries, the participant left prior
to Safety’s arrival.
April 27; 2:02 pm: A male subject was arrested for trespassing and stalking in the
Library. The suspect was booked into jail by the Phoenix Police department.
April 30; 9:15 pm: A student reported the theft of a bicycle and cable lock near the
garden area east of the “E” building.
May 2; 11:35 am: A non-student shoplifted from the cafeteria by dispensing and taking a
soda without paying for it. He was contacted by Safety staff nearby and given a trespass
warning.
There were two reports for medical assistance during this period. No injury/sickness
required medical transport from the college.
There were no motor vehicle accidents reported during this period.
Reminder: COURTESY PARKING PASSES: If you have a Guest coming
to a class or meeting who will be parking in Faculty/Staff/Employee stalls, a
Courtesy Parking Pass should be obtained from Public Safety. For the Courtesy
Pass we will need the Speaker’s name, vehicle information, and License Plate
Number. Guests who do not wish to obtain a Courtesy Pass are welcome to park
in General/Student parking, between white lines with no signage. Handwritten
notes placed on the dash or phone calls to our office will not be a substitute for
obtaining a Courtesy Parking Pass.
Reminder: Safety on our PC Campus is all of our concern and responsibility as involved
community partners. If you see activity that appears suspicious, call Public Safety to
report it: give the location, type of activity and descriptions of those involved if possible.
The Safety Office phone is staffed 24/7. The number is 602-285-7254.
NOTE: Faculty members are encouraged to share the safety updates with their students.
End of update.

Public Safety Update/Summary of Incidents/April 23-April 29, 2012

April 20; 8:15 am: A student made a delayed report of a verbal threat made to her several
days earlier by an acquaintance while on campus. The victim doesn’t desire prosecution
at this time. The suspect is not a student and has not been seen on campus since the latest
incident.

April 23; 5:05 pm: Safety Staff documented the burglary of a wallet from the student’s
unlocked vehicle parked in the north lot.

April 24; 11:58 am: A student reported the theft of pants and car keys from the Men’s
Locker Room in the gym.

Other Activities

There were four reports for medical assistance during this period. No injury/sickness
required medical transport from the college.

There was one motor vehicle accident reported during this period involving a vehicle
hitting a stop sign. There were no injuries.

Reminder: Lost & Found: Public Safety is the official and central point for Lost &
Found at Phoenix College with staffing 24/7. If you or a department has found items,
please bring them to Public Safety or call us within 24 hours and we will pick them up.
When found items are held for an extended period of time it inhibits our ability to get
them returned to their rightful owner in a timely manner.

Reminder: Safety on our PC Campus is all of our concern and responsibility as involved
community partners. If you see activity that appears suspicious, call Public Safety to
report it: give the location, type of activity and descriptions of those involved if possible.
The Safety Office phone is staffed 24/7. The number is 602-285-7254.

NOTE: Faculty members are encouraged to share the safety updates with their students.

End of update.