Alumni Profiles

What made SCC the right fit for you?

My first field of interest in healthcare was as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) after working as a volunteer firefighter. After 12 years as a full-time firefighter/paramedic, I became interested in a nursing career and started taking courses at SCC. SCC provided an opportunity to attend a school that was convenient for me and close to home and allowed me to continue working as a Patient Care Tech (PCT) in the Emergency Room using my healthcare skills.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

After completing the prerequisite nursing courses with the numerous academic departments across the SCC campus, I applied to the SCC Nursing Program. At that time, there was a 2-year waitlist, but it was worth the wait. The program came with high regard and outstanding student outcomes that helped me to enhance the skills I already had in healthcare, and took my career to the next step as an RN.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

SCC is a convenient and cost-effective way to get a jump on your education, regardless of your education and career goals. After obtaining my AAS in Nursing at SCC I went on to complete my Master’s Degree in Nursing at Grand Canyon University. This allowed me to become an adjunct clinical nursing instructor and led to my career as the SCC Nursing Lab Manager.

How did SCC influence your success?

The faculty was always helpful as I was gaining experience with the new nursing skills that enhanced what I already knew from my past healthcare employment. Even though we had some equipment in the laboratory, it was not the high-tech laboratory that we have available for students now. At that time, we only had rubber hands and arms that had embedded tubes as veins to practice intravenous techniques of starting IV catheters and hooking up IV fluids. Now, we have full-body, high-fidelity simulation mannequins that have this same equipment but are much more realistic as students can practice a more holistic approach to patient care along with learning a skill.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

The best part of nursing school at SCC was the support from classmates and being able to have a shared experience every step of the way. We helped each other during study group sessions, working through personal challenges, and preparing for exams and care plans.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

I often came back to campus to visit my wife who taught here in the Interior Design Program. As my nursing career continued, I worked with nursing students in the Emergency Department and eventually started working as an adjunct clinical instructor for SCC. After working with students and gaining skills as an educator in the laboratory and clinical environment, I became the Lab Manager. Many of the faculty who were my instructors in nursing served as great mentors and are still here today, which speaks volumes for our SCC Nursing program.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I am currently the Lab Manager for the SCC Nursing program. It is a pleasure to be able to help the next generation of nurses and to see that the program I attended continues to flourish. Seeing the students working together in the lab and studying together in the hallways takes me back to the reason I returned to SCC.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

During my campus visit, I felt the campus community’s passion for making students successful. I noticed the peaceful campus environment and was met with positive energy, kindness, and generosity. This atmosphere carried through my entire time at SCC. I always felt appreciated and valued. At every turn, a faculty member promoted something that could help my life or make me great. The environment felt honest and caring, and I was right. This school brought opportunities for my growth; it gave me a space to work hard and strive to be the best. I could not recommend SCC more, and for this school and its staff, I am forever grateful.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

One of my favorite memories is the virtual meeting with the Math department faculty and staff congratulating me. The acknowledgment and validation of their accolades provided were amazing. My mentors and those who inspired me gave me an extraordinary source of praise. Another highlight I recall is lunch with the scholarship donors. This opportunity to acknowledge my gratitude for their support was very impactful. A highlight of each day on campus was spending time at Two Waters Circle near the Math department. This was an incredibly fulfilling experience and an opportunity for reflection. I measured my degree timeline from those moments spent there.

What value has SCC brought to your personal life and/or career?

SCC spoiled me. Being in such a professional-strengthening environment, I expected this culture elsewhere. SCC took the strongest parts of what I learned and furthered my overall well-roundedness. I fondly recall the physics classes I took as being the most rewarding and challenging classes I have taken. I still stay in touch with people from that class.

Tell us about your involvement at SCC. What role did that involvement play in your overall SCC experience?

I was a member of the Robotics club. As the club president, it was challenging during Covid to develop a plan for the team to remain engaged. I wanted to nurture the ambition of others and engage the membership in volunteer community service with St. Mary’s Food Bank on Saturday mornings. This was not an easy sell, yet proved to be rewarding for all involved.

Outside of class, I owned a candle business. This proved to be a great hobby during COVID. I see value in the intersection of STEM and the arts, and I am committed to continuing to nurture my artistic side and keep it thriving.

Tell us what degrees or certificates you earned or what types of classes you completed at SCC.

I completed an associate's degree in Applied Science. At SCC, I flourished in the Math department as I strived for excellence. Patricia Dueck told me about the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholarship opportunity. Her course was one of my toughest courses. I plan to continue in the ASU 4+1 Master’s program and am considering focusing on cybersecurity. I am yearning to return to the academic environment as I took a break due to employment.

List any scholarship(s) you received while attending SCC.

Receiving a scholarship meant everything at the time it was received, and I have those same feelings now. This financial support lifted such a weight from my shoulders and enabled me to focus on academics. I felt as though I had a support system. I wanted to embody the values of the scholarship donor in what I did in and out of the classroom. I wanted to make donors proud, and I felt propelled forward by their support in the constant pursuit of success.

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC. Where did you start and where are you now?

I am currently a Security Analyst for United Airlines. I am phasing out an old software program used at hubs nationwide and developing a new one. My goal is to be a security architect working with one of the big four technology companies.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey? What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

One of the things students struggle with is fear. They are afraid to make the wrong decision. You are never losing anything when improving your education and your sociability. Being around people who want the best for you is an amazing opportunity. People at SCC want you to grow. Try everything. Seek out opportunities.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memory of attending SCC was the ability to work part-time on campus while attending classes. I got to learn a great deal about the community college environment and the supportive faculty and staff. I made many friends who influenced me along the way.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I decided to attend SCC after graduating high school because of its proximity, convenience, and the ability to work on campus while attending school.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

SCC provides quality education in a personalized setting at a relatively low cost. Additionally, it offers a pathway for students to transfer to universities.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I serve as the chief of police for the city of Chandler. I started my career in policing in 1986 serving with the Scottsdale police department until 2014 when I became police chief in Chandler.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

Yes, many times.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I met so many other great people who were also working and attending school as a means to reach their goals. It was empowering to walk the journey with others who would support me, and I could return the favor.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I was working full-time with a toddler, so the evening classes were such a benefit to me.

What value has SCC brought to your personal life and career?

Without SCC, I would not have been able to finish my required classes on time to get the promotion I was working towards. That promotion moved me from the mailroom to getting my opportunity to be a licensed insurance agent.

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC. Where did you start and where are you now?

After graduation, I continued to Arizona State University and graduated with my Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I relocated to Texas but kept going to receive my Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University. Since attending SCC, I have been with the same employer and am now a Risk Management Director. This year, I celebrated 22 years. I also have an LLC and provide consulting services to individuals and small businesses.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey? What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

Don’t quit! However long it takes, no matter the setbacks, keep going. The staff at SCC cares about your success. There’s no better learning environment than one where the staff supports you and celebrates your achievements.

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC. Where did you start and where are you now?

After SCC, I did the 2+2 program with NAU, earning my Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. Upon graduation, I was recruited to be an Intern at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa. Since then I've held several different roles at this hotel in Front Office, Spa Sales, Reservations Sales, and Event Management, including weddings. In pursuit of my desire to gain more experience to one day run my own hotel, I moved to a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel where I was the Assistant General Manager overseeing not only day-to-day operations but also the hotel finances, which prepared me for my current role as the Business Operations Manager for Marriott Managed Select Brands, where I get to plan and execute regional meetings for on property staff as well as above property leaders.

Tell us the ways that SCC prepared you for additional education and/or your career.

Focusing my studies on hotel management at SCC better prepared me for real life examples of how I could apply what I learned to real business scenarios.

Tell us about your involvement at SCC: list extracurricular and co-curricular affiliations such as clubs, organizations, programs, honors and/or athletic teams?

Working full time, SCC allowed me the flexibility to take night classes. I also joined the Hospitality Club that had several experts in the field come as guest speakers.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey?

Get involved. Utilize the flexibility of class schedules. Utilize all of the resources SCC has to offer.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

SCC was the right choice for me because it offers a Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After taking some time off after high school, SCC allowed for an easier transition back into the world of higher education. Additionally, SCC makes for a seamless transition to a 4-year degree in the same discipline.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

My time at SCC was an incredible educational experience. It encouraged my passion for the hospitality industry and in becoming a discipline expert. I will always remain an advocate for one to pursue education in their life.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

The most memorable thing from my time at SCC is the friends and connections I made. These are friends and connections I still have to this day. There is a large core of SCC alumnus who are currently industry professionals in the Valley and we all stay connected. I have also maintained a close relationship with the faculty and the program itself.

After leaving SCC, did you get a job or did you transfer to a university?

I transferred to NAU to pursue my bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. I was also dual enrolled for a semester. Immediately following my graduation from NAU I obtained my first leadership position in Hospitality.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

Yes.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

I would encourage anyone curious about pursuing higher education to start at SCC. Specifically, I would encourage anyone in the hospitality field to explore their degree in HRM. The HRM program at SCC is well designed and continues to adapt to today’s climate. It’s led by faculty who are hospitality professionals and have a passion for our industry.

What value has SCC brought to your personal life and or career?

The quality of the HRM program at SCC brought immense value into my career. It allowed for a seamless transition for me to continue my education. There is content I learned and connections I made which I still carry with me to this day.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I am the Assistant General Manager for The Camby Hotel, An Autograph Collection Hotel in Central Phoenix. The Management company I work for is Davidson Hotels and Resorts. This is my second stint with The Camby and Davidson, as I was previously the Director of Rooms from 2018-2020. In between my time at The Camby, I worked for Marriott at the St Regis Deer Valley in Park City Uah. During my 20 year career I have worked for Fairmont, Starwood, Marriott, and Davidson.