Coconino Community College’s Stellar Newsletter
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Shaping the future of Coconino County. Empowering Individuals. Inspiring Communities.
Education with Purpose!
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A quick word from the President
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Shouts and whoops of happiness. Songs and singalongs. Bright red, white and blue colors and smiling children. Waving flags and heartfelt laughter.
What a difference a year makes. Last year, all of us here at Coconino Community College decided to host a virtual Shoebox Parade to reach out to the communities we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate some of our common isolation. This year, we got the opportunity to engage once again with our communities face to face during the Fourth of July parades in Flagstaff, Page and Williams. I could not help but grin from ear to ear seeing so many people filled with joy and celebration.
As CCC approaches our 30th anniversary serving the communities of Coconino County, I am reminded of our dedication to helping all our students strive for a better life for themselves and their families. Whether you’re searching for a new skill or trade, an affordable path to a four-year university degree, or just want to take a class to satisfy the lifelong learner in you, I’m confident CCC can help.
Fall registration is in full swing, and I encourage everybody to learn more about what CCC can offer. We remain, happily, your place for local, affordable, quality education. Come by for a visit, or learn more at www.coconino.edu. Onward! Náás! Adelante!
Colleen Smith, PhD
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Flagstaff Marathon runs again for CCC Cross Country running program
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The challenging event, now with CCC, kicks off Oct. 2
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – After a brief hiatus, The Flagstaff Marathon has returned.
The big event is Oct. 2 at the Nordic Village on Highway 180, and the course, which includes a full marathon, half-marathon, 10K and Kid’s Kilo, promises to be challenging for runners of all ages.
The Cross Country program at CCC is entirely supported by outside donations, and to help with supporting the teams, North Country HealthCare is transferring ownership the The Flagstaff Marathon to CCC to serve as a fundraiser for the CCC Cross Country program. “The Coconino Community College Foundation is thrilled to bring back this time honored tradition to the Flagstaff community in support of our Cross Country Comets,” said Dianna Sanchez, Chief Development Officer of the CCC Foundation. “This event is a perfect fit for the college and their budding athletics program by promoting community connection, academic success and athletic achievement.”
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North Country HealthCare has turned The Flagstaff Marathon over to Coconino Community College to help support the college’s new Cross Country running program.
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CCC Cross Country program grows
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CCC President Colleen A. Smith, Ph.D., signs the first student letter of intent for the CCC Cross Country Comets as Athletic Director Tony Williams looks on.
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Athletes sign letters of intent, make commitments to the first team this fall
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Coconino Community College Comet Cross Country Team received its first two letters of intent from athletes earlier this month, according to CCC’s Athletic Director Tony Williams. President Colleen Smith made the letters official with a signature. Williams added that a total of eight runners – four men and four women – are already committed to the teams, which are scheduled to begin competing this fall.
Cross Country Coach Craig Hunt said, “The number of athletes our program has attracted in such a short period of time is a promising sign for this year and the years to come. If we keep putting in the hard work, there’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll be fielding a scoring men’s and women’s team this fall and attract even more student athletes.”
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CCC Foundation seeks marathon sponsors
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Businesses get the opportunity to sponsor an aid station during this year’s Flagstaff Marathon
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With CCC taking over the Flagstaff Marathon from North Country HealthCare, the event will serve as a fundraiser for CCC’s new Athletics program, and businesses can get in on helping raise funds by sponsoring aid stations during the race.
Businesses can get in on a great team-building opportunity by becoming a $500 aid station sponsor. Teams can creatively customize stations to their liking, and at the end of the race, runners will vote on the most memorable aid station.
The winner will receive six complimentary tickets to Palette to Palate, CCC’s signature food and art event. Provide a team of four to six volunteers, some imagination and enthusiastic spirit.
For more information, or to set up a sponsorship, contact Dianna Sanchez at 928-226-4188.
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Runners take to the pine and aspen covered trails along the route of the annual Flagstaff Marathon, which takes place Oct. 2 this year.
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Fall registration underway at CCC
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CCC featured at 2021 Viola Awards gala
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Coconino Community College District Governing Board Chair Dr. Nat White was the 2021 Viola Legacy Award recipient. Congratulations!
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Congrats to CCC Biology Faculty Melinda McKinney, who received the 2021 Viola Excellence in Education Award.
“It was a great honor to have been awarded the Viola in a community that is overflowing with outstanding educators,” McKinney said. “I am continually inspired by my peers in Flagstaff. They humble me and motivate me to do my best on a daily basis.”
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Job ready before leaving high school
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Bonnie Kelch, certified as a nursing assistant while in high school, already has a head start on college with credits she earned through CCC.
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CCC CAVIAT student Bonnie Kelch receives her Certified Nursing Assistant credential
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Flagstaff High School graduate Bonnie Kelch left high school with job skills and college credit.
She took advantage of free college courses at CCC with the help of the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry and Technology and is already a Certified Nursing Assistant, and she also has a certification in Pre-Health Careers.
“I always thought I wanted to be a nurse, and this gave me the opportunity to see what it’s about before I committed to it in college,” Kelch said. “I like that it’s a job where I’m actually helping people. I feel like I can make a difference in people’s lives.”
By taking college courses at CCC, she is already 37 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree in Nursing that she seeks. Her ultimate goal is to be a neo-natal nurse.
“It was free college,” Kelch said. “It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
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CCC tutors help student succeed
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Tutoring Services at the college offers free support students need to make the grade
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Accounting class brought Rhianna Hernandez to Tutoring Services at Coconino Community College.
The first time she took an accounting class, she tried to push through the challenging subject on her own. She ended up dropping the class that first time, but she needed it for her associate degree in Business.
“It was a different language,” Hernandez said. “But my tutor was able to explain it to me where it made sense.”
By the end of the Spring 2021 semester, Hernandez had an “A” in the class, and she said she owes much of that success to the folks in Tutoring Services at CCC. Tutoring Services are available each semester, for free, to all enrolled CCC students.
“All of us at Tutoring Services strive to help students succeed in their courses, whether a student needs one question answered or comes back daily for extra support,” said Kim Shaw, CCC’s Tutoring Coordinator. “Most of our tutors are students as well, so they understand the challenges of the courses they tutor.”
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CCC student Rhianna Hernandez uses the college’s free Tutoring Services at the Lone Tree campus to help her with the more challenging subjects.
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Commercial driver training underway at CCC
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CCC and Phoenix Truck Driving School partner for Commercial Driver’s License training
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Safety inspections. Figuring out 13 gears while double clutching. Backing a 53-foot trailer.
All very important, among a host of other important skills, to successfully driving a semi, which is why a commercial driver’s license is required to operate one.
In June, Coconino Community College began offering a Commercial Driver’s License Training program for people interested in driving semis for a living.
“CCC is so pleased to partner with HDS Trucking, Inc. and the Phoenix Truck Driving School to offer CDL training for pathways to employment,” said Kay Leum, CCC’s Executive Director of Extended Learning. “CCC worked over the last several years to find the right approach to offer this important career training. HDS Trucking developed a very successful program in Kingman through Mohave Community College, and that success made the decision to partner easy.”
Maggie Blancarte, admissions coordinator for the program, said that the course lasts four weeks and covers 160 hours of instruction to test for the Class A CDL. A Class A covers all larger vehicles up to 18-wheelers.
“The demand for truckers is extremely high, and it opens a lot of doors to say you have a Class A CDL,” Blancarte said.
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Kevin Kahn, primary instructor, and Maggie Blancarte, admissions coordinator, staff the new CDL program at CCC, made possible through a partnership with HDS Trucking, Inc. and the Phoenix Truck Driving School.
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Small-business marketing featured at SBDC
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CCC Summer Learning Series continues in July
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The CCC Summer Learning Series offers free virtual webinars and in-person presentations are open to the community. Enjoy a variety of topics from around Coconino County. Register for the series here.
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Classes for English language learners at CCC
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CCC offers First Aid & CPR classes in Page, Flagstaff
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Coconino Community College made the news in the last month. Read or see more about it by clicking the headline!
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