I loved my time at the Maricopa Community Colleges. I hopped around to a few of them before landing at SCC.
What made SCC the right fit for you?
I was so excited to be part of the Equine Science program at SCC. I wasn’t sure what my career would look like, but I knew I wanted to help people and somehow involve horses. SCC also appealed to me because my godmother Marianne Roccaforte-Gardner and my grandma Lois Roma-Deeley worked for SCC and sang its praises.
Tell us about your time at SCC.
Of all my college experiences, the Equine Program at SCC was the most memorable and impactful. I made such wonderful connections while there and have fond memories of the hands-on classes where we got to handle horses directly. I’ll never forget my time in the Equine Anatomy class where I got to do a full-body necropsy with the late Dr. Elaine Carpenter. Truly, it was the best college experience I could’ve asked for.
Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.
My favorite memory of SCC occurred in the parking lot when I received a phone call offering my dream internship at a Young Life camp where I would be in charge of 52 equines, running trail rides daily and managing volunteers/staff. This is my favorite memory of SCC because being offered this internship and being able to confidently run that summer program would not have been possible without my Equine Science degree.
What value has SCC brought to your personal life and/or career?
SCC has brought endless value to my life and career. The Equine Science program changed the trajectory of my career and life goals for which I am forever grateful.
Tell us what degrees or certificates you earned or what types of classes you completed at SCC.
I attended SCC from 2016-2018. I earned my Associate of Arts and Associate of Equine Science.
Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC. Where did you start and where are you now? This can include information about your education, service, and career paths.
When I left SCC, I went to ASU to finish my Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. During that time I ran a trail riding program at a Young Life camp for the summer of 2018, worked for horse trainers, taught lessons and provided horse care at a therapeutic riding program, and drove carriages for Scottsdale Horse and Carriage. Once I graduated from ASU, I started a horseback riding lesson program where I taught lessons from August 2019 to December 2020. I then started my Master's in Counseling with an emphasis on Somatic Experiencing in August of 2021 at Prescott College. This pursuit combined my love for people and the power of healing with horses to become an Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. I am now a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) working under Skye Therapy Solutions where we offer Equine Assisted Therapy. We work with people ages 6+ with ADHD, ASD, and anxiety. I am extremely passionate about grief and loss and plan to specialize in this area when I one day own my private practice. It’s been quite the journey to get to where I am today but I am so grateful for every experience.
What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey? What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?
I loved my time at the Maricopa Community Colleges. I hopped around to a few of them before landing at SCC. I consider SCC my home base because of how wonderful my experience was there. I recommend SCC to anyone who wishes to have a rewarding and special college experience.