March 2008

Message from the Chancellor

Arizona is at a crossroads. One road leads to a vibrant state economy and better quality of life. The other leads to increased hardship and unemployment. The road we take depends on how well we educate and train our citizens to thrive in an ever-increasingly competitive world.

Data from the Governor's P-20 Council show adults nearing retirement are more educated than young adults entering the workforce, putting Arizona at a distinct competitive disadvantage for the future. With high school dropout rates among the highest in the nation, it is not surprising that Arizona is ranked 49th in higher education participation among young adults. We need to increase our investment in the education and skills of our future workforce for Arizona to be competitive in the national and global economy.

Governor Janet Napolitano's plan for Arizona's education system makes sense for the long-term prosperity of the state. I applaud her for recognizing the vital role of community colleges in that system, even while facing tightening budgets. The people of Arizona deserve quality education aligned with the needs of a growing population, and one that supports the economy of the future.

In just the last five years, Pima Community College enrolled over 400,000 students or nearly 40% of the entire population of Pima County. PCC students and alumni are found in almost every business and organization -- they are teachers, business owners, managers, nurses and social workers, mechanics and dental hygienists, firefighters, police officers and paramedics -- just to name a few.

The College also is sending record numbers of students to Arizona's universities and we continue to develop affordable pathways to bachelor's degrees. PCC recently announced its newest academic partnership with Northern Arizona University, the first of its kind between an Arizona community college and an in-state university.

The 90/30 partnership will allow PCC students to transfer up to 90 credits to NAU towards a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in public management or humanities.

This partnership with NAU provides students with another opportunity to earn bachelor's degrees in Tucson and is an important step in increasing access to higher education in Arizona. We look forward to forming more academic agreements with all our university partners in the months to come.

The College's vision is to provide access to learning without the limits of time, place or distance. We are committed to this vision as we provide affordable higher education opportunities to the public we serve. Educating our citizens and preparing them for the jobs of the future is the road that leads to greater opportunity and prosperity for all Arizonans.

Governmental Update

I am pleased to report that members of the College Board of Governors, administration, and student representatives traveled to Washington D.C. to address the national agenda for higher education during the American Association of Community College (AACC) National Legislative Summit.

The AACC summit provides a forum for two-year colleges to Congress. The summit serves as our first look at key authorization bills for the nation's students, colleges and universities and is also an enriching educational experience for our student representatives who attend.

College Update

Pima Community College welcomed its faculty to the official start of the Spring semester during "All Faculty Day" in January. Our guest speaker this year was Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, who spoke on what the county is doing to improve public safety and the quality of life in our community.

On behalf of the College, I would like to thank our faculty for all the work they do for our students. Our faculty are responsible for teaching tens of thousands of students at the College every year. With their dedicated and responsive teaching, the College is able to carry out its mission to develop our community through learning..

Awards and Recognition

Please join me in congratulating Pima Community College's students selected to this year's All-Arizona Academic Team. The award provides scholarship monies and a tuition waiver to any of the three state universities to continue their education. All-Arizona Academic Team awardees are selected by the Phi Theta Kappa International Society of the Two Year College.

Students Victor Casteneda, Alison Lamm-Chapman, Sarah Koltanowski, Melisaa Krassikoff, Aindrea McCammon, Kara Bustamante Scott were among the 20 First Team members. DeAnna Knoepfle, Tejin Lakdawala, Megan McGrath, Robert Pau and Kristi Phillips were named to the Second or Third Team. Criteria for selection include grade point average, community involvement, and completion of at least 45 college credits.

This year, PCC had the highest number of First Team placements of any of the state's community colleges. In the past two years, three of our students from the All-Arizona Team have also been named to the All-USA Academic Team.

Faculty Spotlight

Name: Anthony (Tony) Pitucco, Ph.D.
Position: Department Chair, Physical and Geological Sciences
How long at PCC: 37 years

Dr. Tony Pitucco has seen many things teaching at PCC. But one thing that has stayed the same over that time is the thrill he gets from watching his students excel.

"Pima's students are some of the most inspiring," he says. "Everyday, I am challenged to try out new ideas in the classroom. It makes me extremely proud when I see ideas catch on and when students learn to become their own teachers."

For Dr. Pitucco, the teaching profession is both art and science, and he has been able to meld the two throughout his career. "When philosophy answers a question, it becomes a science," he says.

He has a B.S. in Physics, an M.Ed. in Philosophy and Foundations of Education, an M.S. in Mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, all from the University of Arizona.

Dr. Pitucco teaches physics at PCC's West Campus, where he is Department Chair of Physical and Geological Sciences. He also teaches mathematics, humanities and philosophy. 

He received the Outstanding Faculty Award at Pima Community College in 1993. In 1994, he was named the Arizona Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Science, and, in the same year, was selected for the Teaching Excellence Award Top 50 Professors in the USA by The Nisod/USA Today. 

"We're all held to a high standard and it's exciting to teach in such a setting. For our students, Pima is a stepping stone to something greater. To be able to adapt to the changing needs of our community without sacrificing the academic mission is something we can be proud of."

Staff Spotlight

Name: Anna Reese, M.P.A.
Position: Executive Director of Financial Aid
How long at PCC: 1 year, 7 months

As Executive Director of Financial Aid, Anna Reese oversees one of PCC's most important -- and busiest -- areas.

With over 9,000 combined state, federal, and institutional regulations to conform to, the financial aid office has to stay on top of a lot of details. Seeing that the often complex financial aid procedures do not get in the way of students getting money for college when they need it is a primary objective for Anna and her staff.

Anna brings over 17 years of experience to PCC, with previous lead roles in financial aid affairs at Eastern University and Warren County Community College on the East Coast. She holds a B.A. in psychology and a Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

"Many students still see financial aid as a mystery," says Reese. "We're trying to make them more aware that money for college is available and that the application process has been shortened."

The financial aid office has already shortened the time it takes a student to receive an award letter by eight weeks.

"Getting money for college is a major factor in a student's decision to get an education. We want to remove the barriers for them."

Program Spotlight

PCC's Fitness and Sport Sciences Program offers degrees and certificates built around the rapidly growing fitness industry. The program also provides physical activity classes to upwards of 5,000 students a year, with courses from aerobics and swimming to weight-training and dancing.

The Associate of Arts degree in Physical Education provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in transferring to the University of Arizona's Physical Education program. Susan Heinrich, Faculty and Department Chair, has been working to ensure that the program provides the prerequisites necessary for admission to the new UA Physical Education cohort program.

"PCC has teamed up with UA to offer prerequisites during the fall semesters, while UA will offer them in the spring. This ensures a smooth transition between the two programs. Students who transfer to the UA's Physical Education program are very prepared and have a high success rate there."

The Fitness Professional certificate, PCC's fastest growing Fitness and Sport Sciences program, is highly regarded in the Tucson fitness community. The program prepares students to take one of three national personal training certification exams needed to become a certified personal trainer. The College provides classes to students in nutrition, exercise science, and business practices for careers in health clubs or for those who want to start their own business.

For more information about the program, visit the Fitness and Sport Sciences Program online or call the College at (520) 206-4500.

Alumni Spotlight

For Gretchen Thomas, nothing is more satisfying about being an elementary school teacher than when a child gives her a hug.

"For me, teaching elementary school is about giving kids the opportunity to learn and make better choices in their lives," she says.

Thomas teaches 4th grade at Rosemarie Rivera Elementary School, a new facility in the Sunnyside School District. Like a lot of teachers, her career started out as a way to stay involved with her own children while they were at school.

Before moving to Tucson, Thomas, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, became certified as a substitute teacher, and also worked in her children's school library and computer class.

Thomas completed PCC's Post-Degree Teacher Certification program in 2007. She credits her smooth transition into the field to the dedicated instructors and staff who really go the extra mile for students. Many of these students are adults with children, and sometimes they are pursuing a second or even third career.

"Pima's program was perfect for me," she says. "You really get to know what to expect in the classroom. The program is taught by experienced teachers who know what it's like out there. The online courses allowed me to work from home on my own schedule."

Send comments or suggestions to: chancellor@pima.edu

Pima Community College, 4905 East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85709