Pima's Class of 2025 is Bold, Brave and Ready for Success

By Dina Doolen, Marketing, Communications and Strategic Outreach

This year's graduating class is replete with stories that inspire and encourage us to continue our work here at the College. At the commencement ceremony on May 21, Pima Community College will award 5,983 degrees and certificates to 4,714 graduates.

From first generation students to a mid-career professional seeking growth opportunities, this year's community representatives share how Pima has impacted their lives. 

Long-time behavioral health worker turns to Pima to advance career

Sendalia Perez is grateful for instructors’ compassion, support

Sendalia Perez has been working in the behavioral health field for 30 years, but she wanted to take on more leadership responsibility and set an example for her three children.

So, she turned to Pima Community College, where she will be graduating May 21 with an Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts and Arizona General Education Curriculum-Arts certification.

Sendalia is one of three Class of 2025 Student Community Representatives.

She will continue her education at Arizona State University, studying social work. She is the first in her family to attend a university.

“My goal is to earn a master’s degree in social work and move into a leadership role where I can make a meaningful impact in the behavioral health field,” she says.

Though she has a close-knit family and a “very supportive” significant other, starting at Pima when she was in her 40s was daunting and, ultimately, life-changing.

“I am a proud 47-year-old Mexican-American woman,” she says. “Returning to college later in life, I faced many fears and challenges, especially with the rapid changes in technology, online learning and digital textbooks.”

Sedalia, who overcame addiction 23 years ago, says the compassion and support that her instructors provided, helped her succeed.

“I am deeply grateful to now live with clarity and purpose, trusting in the gift God gave me – a brain to use, not waste,” she says.

Science lover wants to revolutionize technology to help people

Andy Zavala Quijada earns Science degree, continues studies at Pima

Andy Zavala Quijada chose Pima Community College because of its many university transfer options.

But, even though he is graduating May 21 with an Associate of Science and an Arizona General Education Curriculum-Science certification, he’s not done with Pima.

He is continuing his studies in the Automated Industrial Technology program, and also hopes to find a science job.

Andy is one of three Class of 2025 Student Community Representatives.

“I want to revolutionize new technologies to address current problems and improve the lives of those that desperately need it,” he says of his long-term goal.

At Pima, he says he has learned how to adapt and view problems from different angles in order to solve them. He is especially interested in quantum physics, nanotechnology, astronomy and robotics.

He says his classroom and internship experiences have helped him find simpler solutions to everyday problems in his life and work.

Andy decided he wanted to make a career in science in high school, when he realized the vast potential of science and how it could be applied to create technologies. But, he is interested in more than science.

He also enjoys baking, music composition and paracord weaving, commonly used to make bracelets.

“I recommend Pima because it makes going to college fun while providing you the skills and resources to be successful in your chosen career path,” he says.

Belize native found community at Pima at 16

Al-Shariah Muhaddath wants to earn a psychology Ph.D.

2021 was a big year for Al-Shariah Muhaddath.

That year, her family moved from Belize to Tucson and she started taking classes at Pima Community College. She was just 16 and, until then, was homeschooled.

On May 21, she will graduate from Pima with an Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts and an Arizona General Education Curriculum-Arts certification. She will be the first female in her family to graduate college.

Al-Shariah is one of three Class of 2025 Student Community Representatives.

This fall she will continue her education at University of Arizona, with the long-term goal of earning a doctorate in psychology.
“I hope to create a facility dedicated to supporting individuals who struggle with mental health challenges,” she says.

Al-Shariah is the oldest and only girl in her family, with 11 brothers. She was born in Belize’s capital, Belmopan, and grew up there and neighboring Honduras in a tight-knit family. She chose Pima because she believed the community college atmosphere would help her acclimate to a formal school setting.

“I truly wouldn’t have chosen any other place,” she says. “My time at Pima has given me the confidence to be strong and face adversity.”

She says the small class sizes made it easy to connect with instructors and the flexible class options and student resources were helpful.

“At Pima, there is no such thing as being alone or feeling ashamed,” she says. “Every professor, peer and faculty member has shown genuine care and support.”