CCC — The Comet — ‘A quick word from the President’ and more news

The birth was a two-step process: First, voters had to decide if they wanted to form a community college district; second, they had to decide to fund the district with property taxes.

Both measures passed, and CCC was born to serve the residents of Coconino County.

However, that is not the end of the story – only the beginning. A challenge came about with the formation of the college that has grown as the college has grown over time. The percentage of property taxes to help run the college is, by far, the lowest offered to any community college district in the state of Arizona. Initially, the college was able to overcome that challenge with the assistance of state funding and fees from tuition. In the last 30 years, the state funding has diminished considerably. Members of the governing board and the college communities have met the challenge of that initial underfunding with incredible efforts to do “more with less.”

Before she left office, state Sen. Sylvia Allen, after seeing the amazing stories of success being experienced by CCC students, decided to take forward an amendment to state law in 2018 that would allow community colleges to ask the voters to decide if they would support an increase to their primary property tax rate in order to bring the college somewhat closer to parity with other community colleges in the state. The governing board has decided now is the time to ask (see related story).

In a special election on May 17, voters will consider an increase to their primary property tax rate. If the voters approve, the tax rate will still be below all the other community colleges; however, it will provide an opportunity to meet many of the demands for career and technical programs and short-term training requested by business and industry throughout Coconino County.

Onward! Náás! Adelante!

Colleen Smith, PhD

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – One in five students at Coconino Community College is Native American.

Often, the Native American students who arrive at CCC are the first in their family to pursue a college education and may also come from challenging economic situations. As a result, they may face barriers in obtaining a college degree.

In an effort to increase Native American student course success, completion rates and a sense of belonging in the college community, CCC has received a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Called the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) grant, the funds will be distributed over a five-year period.

“CCC values the sacred land on which we live and serve and the indigenous peoples who have inhabited it for centuries,” said CCC Provost Dr. Nate Southerland. “One in five students at CCC is Native American, and we look forward to providing these students with culturally responsive teaching, enhanced support, and interpersonal connections to help them be successful in their studies.”

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The definition of a caregiver: A skilled helping hand in moments of need for daily living – for the elderly, for the sick, for the disabled.

With new assisted-living facilities slated to come online in the near future, and with several already in operation, the need for certified caregivers in the Flagstaff area and Coconino County is growing. To meet that need, Coconino Community College has brought back its Assisted Living Facility Caregiver Certificate program, which begins in January with the spring semester.

“I had the executive director of a local facility come meet with me,” said Katherine Costa, director of Nursing and Allied Health at CCC. “They’re in such a need of caregivers, we’re reviving it to meet that need.”

The program, which is geared to accommodate 20 students, is seven weeks long, Costa added. The first six weeks will be on Saturdays, seven-hour days, with classroom lectures and skills sessions in a lab with mannequins. Students will also be required to “shadow” a caregiver who works in the area for up to 20 hours during the course of the six weeks.

“They will get an idea of what it’s like to be a caregiver and be familiar with the environment before they start working,” Costa said.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The 15th Annual Flagstaff Marathon will be Saturday, Oct. 15, and registration is now open.

The marathon, after being on a short break, returned last year with the new mission of supporting the Coconino Community College Cross Country Comets running program.

“Last year, we welcomed 300 runners to the event, and this year, we are expecting 450,” said Dianna Sanchez, chief development officer at the CCC Foundation. “We are so excited to continue to grow this event in the spirit of community connection, academic success and athletic achievement. All race proceeds will benefit our CCC Comets and will allow them to realize their full potential as athletes and students.”

The Flagstaff Marathon is a completely off-road course in the Coconino National Forest. It is known as one of the most challenging courses in the country because it is at more than 8,000 feet in elevation, and there is nearly 1,900 feet of climbing on the course. In addition to the marathon, there are also half marathon, 10K and Kids Kilo events.

Before the marathon began supporting the CCC Cross Country Comets, it was held each year to support North Country HealthCare.

For more information about the Flagstaff Marathon, visit flagstaffmarathon.com, or follow on Facebook and Instagram.