CCC students received All-Arizona Academic Scholarship

FLAGSTAFF — Two Coconino Community College students – Maize Pratt and David Cassidy – have been recognized for the prestigious 2023 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship.

The scholarship provides free tuition for 60 credit hours at the recipient’s choice of one of the three state universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

A transplant from the west coast, Pratt came to Sedona, Arizona for a mindfulness-based program.

“Having gone to four previous community colleges, I was looking at CCC to save some money before going to NAU,” Pratt said.

Pratt said he plans to use his new scholarship money toward a Business Management degree from NAU and is currently exploring different career paths through internships.

“I am currently learning the tax side of things, working as an intern at Absolute Tax & Financial Services during the spring semester, which is definitely keeping me busy,” Pratt said. “I have an internship this summer in Boston to learn the law side of things, working at MGM Law Firm.”

Pratt shared his ultimate goals are rooted in solar.

“I see solar as a very interesting career from the economics to the sustainability aspects. It’s something I have always wanted to learn more about,” Pratt said. “I just really want to make the world a better place and renewable energy is one way to do that.”

For Cassidy the scholarship means he can take the next steps in his education.

“It was a matter of getting this scholarship and continuing my education at a university or not getting it and not going to the university,” Cassidy said. “It was really pretty simple for me; it was my only option for moving ahead.”

Cassidy has been working as guide in the Grand Canyon offering hiking and river tours, which he really enjoys.

“When the pandemic hit, many guides like me lost their jobs when the Canyon closed to tourism,” Cassidy said. “I saw people struggle to get connected to resources.”

Cassidy said he will be transferring to NAU to pursue a degree in Psychological Sciences and hopes to further his education with a master’s level counseling program.

“The pandemic highlighted a very visible need for counselors,” Cassidy said. “I could see that need in my community around me, and I want to be there to help others.”

Both students are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

In addition to winning the All-Arizona Award, Cassidy, also won a spot on the All-USA Academic Team.

Every year, each of Arizona’s community college nominate students to the ALL-USA Academic Team where students are chosen based on academic excellence, leadership and service to their communities. Twenty team members are named annually, with each receiving a $5,000 scholarship. In addition to scholarships, team members are presented at the annual President’s Breakfast held during the American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado.

About Coconino Community College

CCC has served residents across 18,000 square miles of Coconino County since 1991. The College has the goal of improving the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education.

CCC provides affordable tuition and offers certificate programs and two-year associate degrees in academic and career fields. CCC also has programs that ease student transition to any of the three state universities, including the award-winning CCC2NAU.

CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the County and Tribal Lands. Instructional sites offer classes through online, in-person and Zoom video conferencing classes to meet the needs of students in rural and remote areas. On average, 20 percent of CCC’s students are Native American learners.

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