FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PVCC nursing grads achieve trifecta with 100 percent

first-time pass rate on national licensure exams

APRIL 18, 2012 — For the third year in a row, Paradise Valley Community College’s nursing graduates have a perfect first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. In addition, 15 of these 30 students were employed within two months of graduating in December 2011, and eight more are enrolled in university Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree programs.

Nursing Department Chair Rose Dermody credits the PVCC faculty with guiding these students toward success through interventions that bolster their knowledge and reinforce nursing skills in preparation for the test. “We implement these interventions when we see gaps in their learning to ensure they are ready to pass the nursing exam,” Dermody said. “The quality of our program is outstanding and PVCC’s pass rate surpasses other nursing colleges and universities.”

In Fall 2012, the nursing program will have new building with two simulation suites, a practice lab, an exam room, a control center, a debriefing room and outdoor training areas on the Union Hills campus. The $1.65 million Health Sciences Building also will foster interprofessional education with the Paramedic/EMT program and the community.

“Once the health science is completed, there also are plans to create partnerships with community healthcare agencies and hospitals to use our simulation lab for skills competency and renewal of skills rarely used in practice,” Dermody said.

PVCC nursing graduates are primarily hired to work in the John C. Lincoln Health Network, the college’s former educational partner. Vice President of Human Resources Frank Cummins has said the JCL Health Network has had great success hiring and retaining these nurses, which he attributes to the high-caliber education they receive at PVCC. The college’s nursing graduates are employed at several other local hospitals, as well as Arizona corrections facilities, surgi-centers and home health care agencies.

For more information about the MaricopaNursing program at PVCC, contact Rose Dermody at 602-787-7192 or rose.dermody@pvmail.maricopa.edu.

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PVCC Senior Night

High school seniors are invited to attend this informational
event to learn about their educational options and plan for the future

APRIL 12, 2012 — High school seniors and their parents may be overwhelmed by the choices they have to make when preparing for the next step in education. To help them understand the options and how to plan for the future, Paradise Valley Community College offers High School Senior Night Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

PVCC’s Senior Night begins at 6:30 p.m. in Room Q120, followed by an informational presentation until 8:30 p.m. Meet PVCC staff and current students to learn more about what the college has to offer, including affordable tuition, student life and leadership, honors programs and more. The possibilities await you at Paradise Valley Community College, one of the Maricopa Community Colleges, located at 18401 N. 32^nd St. in Phoenix, just west of the Union Hills exit off SR-51.

Discover the benefits of beginning your education at PVCC and transferring your credits to our partnership colleges including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona and more than 20 additional national and international institutions.

Registration has started for summer and fall semesters at PVCC. Classes begin May 29, July 2 and Aug. 18. To see a list of available classes, go to www.paradisevalley.edu/sc and select the semester of your choice. Classes are offered on campus, online or in a hybrid format of both.

Many classes are available at PVCC at Black Mountain, our satellite site located at 34250 N. 60th St. in north Scottsdale, just south of the Carefree Highway. Call 602-493-2600 for more information.

The Q Building is located on the Union Hills campus at 32nd Street and East Grovers Avenue on the southwest end of the campus. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available on the east side of the campus north of the baseball fields.

Media Contact:
Verina Martin, Public Relations Specialist
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-7813 | pvcc.news@pvmail.maricopa.edu

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The Cat’s Meow at Paradise Valley Community College

PHOENIX – April 2, 2012 - The Spring 2012 Main-stage Theatre Production is The Cat’s Meow, directed by Gary Zaro. Based on the true story of a mysterious Hollywood death, Steven Peros’ The Cat’s Meow offers a fascinating cross section of Jazz Era characters who intersect for one notorious weekend on board William Randolph Hearst’s yacht in 1924. The play was adapted for film in 2002, with a screenplay by the author, directed by Peter Bogdanovich, and starring Kirsten Dunst, Eddie Izzard, and Edward Herrmann.

Weekend guests include: Charlie Chaplin, who has been carrying on with movie star Marion Davies, a secret known to Davies’ paramour, the married – and much older — Hearst; and movie mogul Thomas Ince, who is hoping to revive his flagging fortunes by forming a studio partnership with Hearst. Playing with fire, Ince tries to convince Hearst that he can handle both Marion’s movie career… and her private life as well.

Performances are April 13, 14, 20, 21 at 7:30pm and April 15, 22 at 2pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors/staff, $8 for students w/ID and $6 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling 602.787.7738 or online at www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa

THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT PVCC:

As the one of the latest additions to the Valley’s rapidly-expanding cultural scene, the Center for the Performing Arts opened to great acclaim in October 2005. The fully-professional theatre is equipped for music, theater and dance productions plus film presentations. In addition, the lobby space serves as an art gallery. The multi-use facility houses student productions, touring acts and educational programs, and is also utilized for instructional purposes. The venue is outfitted with the latest technology and contains state-of-the-art lighting system, sound and audio visual equipment, as well as an orchestra pit and seating that accommodates approximately 300 patrons.

The Center for the Performing Arts is conveniently located at 34th Street and Union Hills at the east end of the campus of Paradise Valley Community College in North Phoenix. Parking is always free. For additional information or reservations, please call 602.787.7738 or online at www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa. Find us on Facebook under “PVCC Fine Arts” to stay up to date with events and promotions.

Media Contact:
Gary Zaro
602-787-6553
gary.zaro@pvmail.maricopa.edu

Transition Fair helps students with disabilities and

their families prepare for college and adult life

PHOENIX, February 28, 2012 — Paradise Valley Community College, in partnership with the Paradise Valley School District Transition Team, is sponsoring the fourth annual Transition Fair 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, in PVCC’s Q Building, located at 32^nd Street and East Grovers Avenue in Phoenix.

This free event is specifically for middle school and high school students with special needs and their families who need help preparing for the transition to college,” said Esther Schon, PVCC’s Disability Resources manager. “Families also can learn about community resources that can help their students transition to adult life and independent living.”

The Transition Fair is hosting several organizations offering services to assist students and families with these life progressions, including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Developmental Disabilities, Arizona Center on Disability Law, Arizona Technology Access Program, Special Olympics, Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona State University, Paradise Valley Unified School District, STARS and more. There will be informational breakout sessions, a student fashion show, door prizes and refreshments.

For information, contact Esther Schon at 602-787-7171 or esther.schon@pvmail.maricopa.edu; or Sue Zipprich, PVUSC transition specialist, at 602-449-22600 or szipprich@pvlearners.net. To view a map of the Q building location, go to http://www.paradisevalley.edu/campusmap/.

Media Contact:
Verina Martin, Public Relations Specialist
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-7813 | pvcc.news@pvmail.maricopa.edu

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Interested in teaching college classes?

February 9, 2012 — Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain is seeking adjunct faculty whose valuable insights and expertise give college students a real-world view of their field of study.

PVCC invites you to learn more about community college teaching opportunities during the Faculty Job Fair 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at the Black Mountain Campus, 34250 N. 60th St. in Scottsdale. Adjunct positions offer retirees and working professionals the flexibility of teaching part-time while bringing their knowledge and skills into the classroom and mentoring for a new generation of workers.

“We are looking for qualified professionals in their fields to invest their time in the educational future of PVCC at Black Mountain and share their passion for learning with individuals from the Carefree, Cave Creek, New River, Anthem, North Phoenix, and North Scottsdale communities,” said PVCC Dean of Academic Affairs Denise Digianfilippo, Ed.D., M.S., R.N.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree to teach credit classes and submit a resume and unofficial transcript. For more information, please visit www.maricopa.edu and search for “faculty minimum qualifications.” For more information about continuing education instructors, please visit http://www.paradisevalley.edu/ce/.

Media Contact:
Verina Martin, Public Relations Specialist
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-7813 | pvcc.news@pvmail.maricopa.edu

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Maricopa Community Colleges Board Urges No Guns on Campus

TEMPE, AZ – Feb. 8, 2012 – The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College Board has passed a resolution opposing SB1474 and SB1479, bills that would allow guns on campus.

The resolution says the District “is gravely concerned that, in an active shooter situation on campus, having additional people with weapons could result in further chaos and carnage by delaying ;aw enforcement’s ability to identify the active shooter.”

The Board’s vote was 4-0, with one member absent.

The resolution asks the legislature to turn back SB1474, which would allow permit holders to bring weapons on campus, and SB1479, which would prohibit the Board from adopting policies or regulations that would prevent disruption of the colleges through use or possession of a firearm.

With its action, Board members join other leaders of higher education in strong opposition to the proposal. Earlier this month, Chancellor Rufus Glasper expressed his opposition to the proposal. The Board also opposed a similar measure proposed last year.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry; technical and customized training institutes.

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Glasper Opposes Guns on Campus Bill

TEMPE, AZ – January 31, 2012– Rufus Glasper, Chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges, today stated his opposition to SB 1474, which would allow guns to be carried on college campuses by persons other than law enforcement personnel.

“The Maricopa Community Colleges believe that SB1474 starts from a false premise — that campuses would be safer if students were allowed to carry guns,” Dr. Glasper said. “There is no evidence to support that concept. In fact, I believe our campuses will be less safe if guns are allowed. Faced with an emergency, our public safety officers and local police may encounter a situation in which several people — only one of whom is the criminal — have guns.”

“In such an encounter, police will be unable to quickly assess which person poses the real threat. More lives may be at stake,” he continued. “What’s more, there is no evidence to suggest that persons who illegally bring guns on campus to commit a crime will be deterred if they know that others can legally carry guns.”

The Chancellor said he was joining with other members of the Arizona Community College Presidents Council, the organization whose members are the leaders of the state’s community colleges, in opposing the bill.

I am joining with the other members of the Arizona Community College Presidents Council and leaders of other institutions of higher education in opposition to SB 1474. “The danger created by this proposal is real. I urge the legislature to oppose legislation that would encourage the presence of firearms by any but law enforcement personnel,” he said.

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PVCC/Fresh Start’s women entrepreneurs program

gives inaugural class global view of business start-ups

PHOENIX, January 27, 2011 —The inaugural class of the Paradise Valley Community College/Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center’s Small Business Start-up certificate program will gain a global perspective of women in business at the 2012 Women’s Entrepreneur Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Twenty-eight international women entrepreneurs and students of the Thunderbird School of Global Management are flying in from countries such as Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to take part in the private networking event at the Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center located at
1130 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix.

“We’re bringing our students together so they can learn from each other about developing a plan and overcoming challenges to start their own businesses,” said Dr. Dina Preston-Ortiz, PVCC Business/IT faculty. “To support continued dialog between these students, they will attend a seminar on social marketing platforms following a tour of Fresh Start’s facilities.”

Fresh Start Women’s Foundation is a Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and providing them support to overcome life and career challenges. When Preston-Ortiz and her PVCC colleague Professor Reyes Medrano realized a need in the community to support small business development, they created an expedited program to give communities such as Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center the tools they need to turn their dreams of owning a small business into a reality.

The college-credited Certificate of Completion (CCL) in the Small Business Start-Up program offers courses in management, marketing, finance, technology and general business application.

Because the Business/IT Department supports domestic and global business development, PVCC and Fresh Start began collaborating with the Thunderbird School of Global Management’s Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative, a five-year initiative to provide a business and management education to underserved female entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets. The goal is to help women grow their businesses and invest their success back into their community.

The media is invited to cover this exciting, private event from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 28. For more information, or to arrange interview with faculty and students in the Small Business Start-up program, please contact: Dr. Preston-Ortiz at 602-787-6729 or Professor Medrano: 602-787-6722.

Media Contact:
Verina Martin, Public Relations Specialist
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-7813 | pvcc.news@pvmail.maricopa.edu

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PVCC Fitness Center offers public memberships

PHOENIX, January 19, 2012 — Are you already struggling to keep that New Year’s resolution to exercise and live a healthier lifestyle? Paradise Valley Community College can help with affordable public memberships in its state-of-the-art Fitness Center on the Union Hills campus.

The PVCC Fitness Center offers memberships and workout programs for college students, high school students, community members and senior citizens. It is fully equipped with free weights, Cybex and FreeMotion machines, a variety of cardio equipment and specialized fitness programs.

What sets the PVCC Fitness Center apart from other gyms is the qualified instructors and staff. The fitness instructors have their bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in the field of exercise science. In addition, they are certified in one or more of the top professional organizations (NASM, ACSM, CSCS or ACE). A fitness instructor is available to assist members seven days a week and individual appointments with the instructors are offered at no additional charge!

PVCC offers credit and noncredit fitness classes including weight training, strength training, group exercises, mind/body wellness classes, outdoor activities and classes tailored for seniors. Wellness breakout sessions are offered on topics such as stress management, eating smart, women’s heart health and bone density, functional movement and workout truths and myths. These sessions are free to the general public and registration is not necessary.

PVCC Fitness Center hours

5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday
5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday
7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday

Wellness breakout sessions
Free to the general public and no registration or reservation necessary.

Eat Smart: Which Foods do What?
1 – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Room F130

A Woman’s Heart
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, Room F130

Increase Your Bone Density
12 – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, Room F130

Bosu, Dyna Discs and Stability Balls
4 – 5 p.m. Friday, March 30, Room F109
Ab Workouts: Truths and Myths
3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 20, Room F130

Functional Movement Screening
12 – 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 30, Room F130

For more information about the Fitness Center, memberships and enrollment options, visit our website at www.paradisevalley.edu/fitness or call 602-787-7270.

Media Contact:
Verina Martin, Public Relations Specialist
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-7813 | pvcc.news@pvmail.maricopa.edu

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PVCC hosts 2012 Desperado Film Festival

Socially relevant films tackle issues faced by the LGBT community

PHOENIX January 2, 2012 — Self-realization and the emotional toll from family and societal expectations about sexual orientation and gender identity are topics highlighting the 2012 Desperado LGBT Film Festival Jan. 27-29 at Paradise Valley Community College.

For the third year, the Desperado Film Festival brings socially relevant films to Phoenix to promote education and understanding of cultural diversity and inclusive communities. Last year more than 1,200 people attended the event hosted by PVCC’s Office of Student Life, Center for the Performing Arts and the P.R.I.D.E. student organization.

“Many of this year’s films focus on family and societal expectations and the difficulties LGBT individuals face when they come out to their families or embrace their gender identity,” said Festival Chair Alan East. “The epiphany of just being yourself, despite what others think, is thematic in these dramatic films of self-realization.”

Filmmakers, actors and leaders of social change also will attend the showings to discuss provocative subject matter. Guest speakers include Arizona State University professor and filmmaker Christopher Bradley, actor Matthew Ludwinski and filmmaker J.C. Calciano. The event also includes musical performances by Tina Angotti, Saith, Mary Godfrey, Kenny Thames Jazz Trio and Amber Norgaard.

Films highlighting the festival include:

“Three Veils,” the stories of three young Middle-Eastern women living in the U.S, one of whom is a very devout Muslim dealing with deep repressions about her intimate feelings toward women. This film is sponsored by the PVCC Center for International Studies.
“This Is What Love In Action Looks Like,” the story of a gay teenager whose parents commit him to a program to “fix” him and the subsequent outcry in his community. Followed by a panel discussion regarding civic engagement follows.
“Genderf*kation, a Gender Emancipation,” a documentary about the struggles and triumphs of six individuals who challenge society’s expectations of gender. Followed by a panel discussion on gender identity.

Film Festival proceeds support LGBTQA Scholarships (www.maricopa.edu/foundation/ways). Tickets are on sale at the PVCC Center for the Performing Arts Box Office noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and can be purchased online at www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa or by calling 602-787-7738.

Ticket prices:

All-Access Pass $82, includes the reception, priority seating and a Desperado t-shirt.
(Only available before Jan. 20)
Students, staff and seniors: $8 per film
General Admission $10 per film
Buy three or more films: $9 per film

For more information, contact the festival’s senior director Dale Heuser at 602-787-7276 or visit the website at www.desperadofilmfestival.com. For a complete listing and descriptions of films, please see the full news release attached to this email.

Media Contact:
Dale Heuser at 602-787-7276
www.desperadofilmfestival.com.

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PVCC campus expansion project to create connections

New front entrance and health sciences building to break ground

DECEMBER 7, 2011— Paradise Valley Community College is embarking on two major construction projects in 2012 to enhance existing facilities and create new, welcoming spaces to improve student services and learning. On Dec. 7, 2011, the college broke ground on the new Health Sciences building for interprofessional collaboration, education and training of students in the nursing, EMT and paramedic programs. This $1.65 million nursing lab, designed by Dick & Fritsche Design Group, will be located in the vacant area east of the Life Sciences Building on the Union Hills campus.

The approximately 4,500-square-foot building, scheduled to open in Fall 2012, includes a skills practice lab, an exam room, two simulation suites, a control center, a debriefing room, offices and an outside staging/training area. The new Health Sciences building is designed to connect faculty and students of different disciplines who, by working together, will find commonalities in their learning that prepare them to work closely as health professionals in the real world.

In Spring 2012, the Kranitz Student Center (KSC) will undergo a major transformation to create a visible and welcoming “front door” that quickly directs students to enrollment advising and financial aid services. The $8.5 million KSC project includes remodeling approximately adding approximately 59,500 square feet and constructing an additional 11,500 square feet, including a 4,000-square-foot community room for meetings and public events.

SmithGroup architects designed the new entrance to eliminate the breezeway between the KSC and A buildings and create a more identifiable campus entrance. Construction will occur in three phases:

Phase I: Renovation of the second floor conference rooms and marketing offices.March through May 2012.
Phase II: Reconfiguration of the Student Life and cafeteria seating areas. May through August 2012.
Phase III: Construction of a new front door entrance, Welcome Center and Community Room north of the existing building. Tentatively scheduled to begin August 2012 with anticipated completion for Fall 2013 classes.

Watch for construction updates in PVCC’s Points of Pride blog at www.pvpride.blog.pvc.maricopa.edu <http://www.pvpride.blog.pvc.maricopa.edu/2011/10/19/> . For more information about growth and development at PVCC, contact Anthony Asti, Interim Vice President of Administrative Services, at 602-787-6601.

Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

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PVCC Athletics Earns Accolades

ACCAC names Pumas as 2011 cross country coach and athlete of the year

NOVEMBER 30, 2011— The Arizona Community College Athletic Conference has named Paradise Valley Community College’s Cross Country Coach Dave Barney and Puma student-athlete Jacob Naylor the 2011 Men’s Coach of the Year and Cross Country Male Athlete of the Year.

Naylor, a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nev., most recently led the Puma charge over the 8K course at the National Junior College Athletic Association Cross Country National Championships, finishing fourth overall (26:23.35).

In addition to being an All-American athlete in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, Naylor is an Academic All-American with a GPA of 3.767. He plans to major in aerospace engineering next year but is yet undecided where he will attend university.

“Jacob is a tremendous young man who has developed into a tremendous leader in our cross country program,” said PVCC Athletic Director Greg Silcox. “He is the epitome of what it means to be a collegiate student-athlete. There are not many people who can say they are an Academic All-American as well as an All-American in three different sports.”

Barney, who led the Pumas to their third Division I Cross Country National Championship, has been named a national coach of the year nine times as PVCC’s first and only cross country and track and field coach.

“David Barney has developed some of the most successful cross country, track and field programs in the country,” said Silcox. “Since 1996, his men’s and women’s cross country teams combined have won an impressive eight national championships and placed as runner up five times. Three PVCC cross country runners have captured individual national championships, 35 have earned All-American honors, and the Puma cross country teams have claimed 12 of a possible 15 Region I Championships.

Barney has been named NJCAA Cross Country National Coach of the Year twice was named Indoor Track and Field National Coach of the Year in March 2011. Since it’s inception in 1999, the PVCC Track and Field program has been in the top 10 at the NJCAA National meet eight times. Numerous PVCC athletes have excelled individually, capturing 15 individual national championships and 75 All-American awards.

Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

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Contact: Tom Gariepy, District Director
Marketing and Communications
480.731.8248-office
480.209.6046-cell

Maricopa Community Colleges Formally Launch BreatheEasy,

Pledge to Help Employees, Students Quit Tobacco

TEMPE, AZ – Nov. 17, 2011 – As part of a celebration of the Great American Smokeout, the Maricopa County Community College District today formally launched Maricopa BreatheEasy, a healthy-living initiative that will result in smoke free and tobacco free properties on July 1, 2012. On that date, the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges will join more than 500 other colleges and universities that have become smoke free, tobacco-free, or both.

As an educational institution, it’s our job to lead the way for the members of our community,” said Chancellor Rufus Glasper. “We recognize that making our properties smoke free and tobacco free will mean that some employees and students will have to change their habits, and we want to help them do so.” Among other things, the District will provide a robust schedule of smoking cessation programs and has asked school stores to offer nicotine gum and lozenges for sale.

Dr. Glasper said the District is announcing the policy change well in advance of its implementation to give students and employees who use tobacco products plenty of time to decide how to adjust to this change. On July 1, 2012, employees and students who continue to use tobacco will have the choice of not using it on District property, or taking breaks off-property.

Dr. Glasper gave Maricopa students and employees a preview of BreatheEasy in a video announcement Oct. 17. Since then, the campaign has been the topic of extensive – and at times heated – discussion across the Maricopa community.

Today’s launch is being held in conjunction with the 36^th annual Great American Smokeout, a national event sponsored in part by the American Cancer Society. It’s a time when smokers and other tobacco users are encouraged to use the day to create a plan to quit the habit, or to plan ahead and begin their tobacco-free life that day. The day is based on the fact that tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States.

Because more than half the smokers in the country have tried to quit for at least a day, the Cancer Society and other supporters publicize programs and resources that can help smokers kick the habit. All the Maricopa Community Colleges will hold events marking the Great American Smokeout, some of which will encourage students and employees to pledge to quit their tobacco habits. Some will be led by students from campus chapters of IGNITE (Influence, Guide, Network for Inter-Collegiate Tobacco Education), a program that helps college students practice advocacy and integrate tobacco control messages into their projects and activities. The district also announced that nicotine gun and lozenges will be available for sale at campus bookstores to help students, employees and visitors who are fighting nicotine cravings.

As part of today’s announcement, the District unveiled new web pages that contain information on tobacco use and smoking cessation for employees and students. Resources for students will be found on a variety of locations on the websites of the individual colleges, while those for employees and interested members of the community can be found at www.breatheeasy.maricopa.edu .

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

Men’s Cross Country Wins National Championship

PVCC runners dominate the competition to bring home the 2011 NJCAA title

PHOENIX—October 12, 2011— The PVCC Men’s Cross Country team dominated the 2011 NJCAA Division I Cross Country Championship on Nov. 12 in Hobbs, N.M., tallying just 54 team points and finishing 59 points ahead of second-place Garden City Community College, Kan.

Four PVCC runners placed among the top 12 performers of more than 750 student-athletes from 72 National Junior College Athletic Association member colleges.

The Puma men didn’t let a disappointing loss to Central Arizona College at the regional meet divert
their focus on the national title. “They came back with a fire in their eyes,” said Barney, noting the team posted its largest win margin on record. “I knew we were good, and I knew we had a great chance to win, but I had no idea we would in that big. It was very exciting and well deserved.”

Jacob Naylor led the Puma charge over the 8K (5.1 mile) course, finishing fourth overall (26:23.35). Alejandro Valencia was seventh (26:56.01), Ryan Norton was eighth (27:01.94) and Matthew Whitlatch finished in 12th place (27:09.65). These four All-American performances, along with Ruganza Mugisha’s 26th place finish (27:40.66), comprised PVCC’s impressive team score. Carl Greene (32nd) and Justin Secakuku (66th) completed the championship performance for PVCC.

This is the third National Championship for the Puma men (2004, 2008, 2011), led by Head Coach Dave Barney, whose coaching also focuses on being humble, respectful to others and good citizens in the community.

“It’s a great group of young men who have worked very hard since June 1st and are very focused and committed. We’ve had some great leaders,” said Barney. “If you are willing to focus on something, be committed to it and overcome the obstacles in your way, you can do anything you want.”

PVCC Women’s Cross Country finished in 16th place (474 points), five spots higher than their pre-race national ranking. Ashley Workman was the first of the Puma women to cross the finish line in 56th place. Taylor Als, Wyndham Gardner, Leanna Morrison and Sabrina Polanco rounded out the top five team scorers. Katlyn Davis finished two places behind Davis.

Founded in 1985, Paradise Valley Community College, one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, has an annual enrollment of more than 14,195 students with an additional 6,000 students enrolled in non-credit and continuing education programs. The college offers transferable academic courses as well as job-specific occupational training. The Union Hills campus is located just west of SR101 at 18401 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032. PVCC at Black Mountain, a new education site serving the far north Valley, opened in August 2009. For more information, visit www.paradisevalley.edu or www.maricopa.edu.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

PVCC earns Phi Theta Kappa Pinnacle Award

Honor society chapter recognized nationally for rise in membership

PHOENIX—Nov. 8, 2011—The Alpha Omicron Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Paradise Valley Community College has earned a Pinnacle Award and four Membership Scholarships from the national Phi Theta Kappa Center for Excellence.

Phi Theta Kappa, an International Honor Society for two-year colleges, awards the Pinnacle Award to chapters and regions that have successfully implemented effective recruitment and orientation strategies as measured by the number of new members. PVCC’s Alpha Omicron Chi chapter currently has 140 members, an increase of 20 percent over last year. This achievement earns the chapter four $45 PTK Membership Scholarships to pay international membership fees for new inductees.

PTK advisor and mathematics faculty Stephen Nicoloff attributes the increase in membership at PVCC to the importance of and pride students feel in being recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa member. “Our membership increased by this number due in part to more awareness by students and faculty of the benefits of membership, including scholarships, leadership opportunities and interaction with people in different levels of education, government and business,” he said.

Nicoloff also was honored by the national organization for his 10 years of service as chapter advisor. PVCC President Dr. Paul Dale presented a medal to Nicoloff during the 2011 chapter induction ceremony on Oct. 19.

Phi Theta Kappa offers students several scholarship opportunities for PVCC students, including:

State Universities in Arizona Scholarships to Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona
Hites Transfer Scholarship – A $7,500 scholarship for students transferring to a four-year institution.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Directory – A directory of four-year and senior-level institutions that offer scholarships exclusively for Society members. Approximately $36 million in scholarships are given each year to qualifying Society members.
College Fish -A scholarship search site for Phi Theta Kappa members, www.collegefish.org.
Get Connected – A members-only section helps students find cutting-edge services and resources free of charge.

For more information about PTK membership and benefits, go to www.paradisevalley.edu/clubs/ptk.

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Contact: Christina Hundley
Tournament Manager
(602) 787-7173

PVCC hosts NJCAA Men’s soccer national tournament

Phoenix – November 3, 2011 – Paradise Valley Community College will host the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Men’s Soccer National Championships Nov. 17-20, 2011 at Reach 11 Sports Complex, 2425 East Deer Valley Rd. in Phoenix.

Games begin at noon on Thursday, Nov. 17 and will run through Sunday’s 1:30 p.m. championship. A total of 11 games will be played. Tournament passes are $30 for all 11 games or $12 per day. Seniors, students and youth teams/players in uniform will receive discounted admission.

Eight district champions will qualify in tournaments to be completed by Sunday, Nov. 6. Seeding for the national tournament will be done by the national soccer committee on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

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Media Contact: Gary Zaro
Phone: 602.787.6553
gary.zaro@pvmail.maricopa.edu

Pride and Prejudice at PVCC

Division of Fine and Performing Arts Presents Jane Austen play

PHOENIX—Oct. 20, 2011—The Center for Performing Arts at Paradise Valley Community College, a Maricopa Community College, presents its Fall 2011 theater production Nov. 11-20 of “Pride and Prejudice,” directed by Humanities Faculty Gary Zaro. Helen Jerome’s adaption of “Pride and Prejudice” is based on Jane Austen’s beloved classic novel. Mrs. Bennett is determined to get her daughters married. Jane, Elizabeth and Lydia are likely looking girls in a period when a woman’s one possible career is matrimony. To be a wife was success. Anything else was failure. Jane and her Mr. Bingley and Lydia with her Mr. Wickham are quite content with things as they are, but not Elizabeth! She actually refuses to marry Mr. Collins, whom she openly deplores, and Mr. Darcy, whom she secretly adores. The play is the story of the duel between Elizabeth and her pride and Darcy and his prejudice.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Nov.11, 12,18 & 19; 2 p.m. Nov. 13 & 20

WHERE: PVCC Center for the Performing Arts, 18401 North 32^nd St., Phoenix

TICKETS: $12/adults; $10/seniors 55 and over; $10/ MCCCD staff; $8/students with ID; $6/children 12 and under. Call 602-787-7738 to order by phone or go to www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa.

Parking in the newly expanded lot is free. Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodations for this production. Please contact Ben Esh by email at ben.esh@pvmail.maricopa.edu or by phone 602-787-7738 to arrange accommodations.

THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT PVCC: As the one of the latest additions to the Valley’s rapidly-expanding cultural scene, the Center for the Performing Arts opened to great acclaim in October 2005. The fully-professional theatre is equipped for music, theater and dance productions plus film presentations. In addition, the lobby space serves as an art gallery. The multi-use facility houses student productions, touring acts and educational programs, and is also utilized for instructional purposes. The venue is outfitted with the latest technology and contains state-of-the-art lighting system, sound and audio visual equipment, as well as an orchestra pit and seating that accommodates approximately 300 patrons.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

PVCC poet wins national award

Creative writing student honored for poem ‘A Day’s Work

PHOENIX—October 12, 2011— PVCC creative writing student Rose Fields won first place in the League of Innovation’s 2010-2011 National Literary Competition for her poem “A Day’s Work,” about her father.

“We had great respect for our father, and the poem is a remembrance of him,” Fields said.

Fields’ poem took first place in the 2010 Maricopa Community College District competition and went on to compete with other district first-place winners nationwide. The competition, judged by award-winning poet Marilyn Chin, included more than 60 first-place literary works from League board colleges.

Fields, a 1965 graduate of Baylor University, began her creative writing on Native Americans in 2006 with encouragement and guidance from PVCC English Faculty Lois Roma-Deeley at PVCC. Her work is published in Paradise Review and Passages and is working on publishing a book. She previously worked for Centers for Disease Control and for National Institutes of Health doing medical/scientific research and co-published many of her scientific papers in medical/scientific journals.

PVCC provides courses, workshops and special events in various creative writing genres, such as poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. The creative writing program, under the direction Roma-Deeley, encourages students and writers of all levels to focus on their own creative process as well as the finished product.

For more information about the creative writing program at PVCC, contact Roma-Deeley at 602-787-6577.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

‘Untour’ Stops at PVCC

Photographer bikes cross-country teaching free digital camera workshops

PHOENIX-October 12, 2011 – Professional photographer Khara Plicanic is offering free photography workshops at Paradise Valley Community College Thursday, Oct. 27, in celebration of the release of her new book, “Your Camera Loves You: Learn to Love it Back!”

PVCC’s Union Hills campus is the only place in Phoenix where Plicanic will stop as she and her husband, Emir, ride bicycles 3,100 miles from San Diego, Calif., to St. Augustine, Fla., teaching photography workshops along the way. She will offer two free one-hour workshops, plus a full class in the evening for $45, to shutterbugs of all skill levels through PVCC’s Continuing Education division.

In an unconventional teaching adventure they’ve dubbed “The Untour,” Plicanic is offering amateur photographers easy tips for better photos and providing workflow management tools for professional wedding photographers. Her short guide, “Get a Grip on Your Workflow,” chronicles the specific philosophies and step-by-step practices she developed to get proofs and photo album designs to eager brides, grooms and families within a week of their wedding.

“Professionals are in dire need of workflow help, particularly when it comes to weddings, and most everyone else could use some pointers when it comes to learning how to use their camera to get better photos,” Plicanic says. “Our passion for teaching, travel, and a healthy/green lifestyle inspired us to take the show on the road to reach out to others in a fun and exciting way.”

In her new book, Plicanic teaches the basics of photography and digital camera functions that can be applied to any camera and help photographers move beyond auto mode to take advantage of the many features and settings on their cameras that will improve photo quality.

To register for these one-time classes, go to the PVCC Continuing Education website at www.paradisevalley.edu/ce/fall/UNTour2.html.

Register now!

Your Camera Loves You; Learn to Love it Back! Ten Tips for Instantly Better Photos

FREE. Noon to 1 p.m. in Q Building, Room 120B

Who knew that dramatically improving your photos could be this easy – or this much fun? Inspired by the book, Your Camera Loves You; Learn to Love it Back, this fun, light-hearted class will arm you with at least 10 different ways you can instantly improve your photos, whether you’re a total beginner or a more experienced hobbyist. Join us for this high-energy presentation and start shooting better photos today. Any and all skill levels are encouraged. Bring your lunch!

Wickedly Fast Wedding Workflow (for the professional photographer)

FREE. 2:30-3:30 p.m., Q Building, Room 120B

How would you like to be 100% caught up on your production work, 24/7? What if you could completely edit a wedding and design the album in 6-8 hours total – thrilling and wowing your clients like never before? This class will show you how. You’ll learn:

The philosophies of a winning (fail-proof) package structure that makes everyone’s lives easier.
How to keep the proofing/album approval process moving so no one (you-or the client) has the chance to cause delays.
The steps and tools that work together to make the process from download to album approval absolutely painless (and doable in just 6-8 hours).
Bring your lunch!

Your Camera Loves You; Learn to Love it Back!

$45. 5-9 p.m. Q Building, Room 120B.

Wait – what? You’re not thrilled with the images you get from your digital camera? The answer isn’t a newer camera – it’s learning how to use the one you’ve got! This is a great class for shooters of all levels (especially beginners). We’ll cover the basics that can be applied to any camera, anywhere, anytime, and we’ll answer questions like: “What do all those different settings on my camera mean and how do I use them? What is a pixel, and why should I care?”

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

The PVCC Division of Fine and Performing Arts Presents

‘I Hate Hamlet’

Directed By Andrea Robertson

PHOENIX-Sept. 29, 2011 - PVCC’s Fall Studio Theatre/M-East Building theater production is I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick and is directed by Andrea Robertson. I Hate Hamlet is a popular fast-paced comedy full of wit and action. The story is about a successful, though in limbo television actor, Andrew Rally, who comes to New York when offered the role of Hamlet onstage in a special production. The big problem is he hates Hamlet. Andrew ends up renting the apartment of famous deceased actor John Barrymore and as his rehearsals begin Barrymore’s ghost shows up to taunt, push, fight, bully and support Andrew through the rehearsal process. The contrast between the actors leads to wildly funny verbal as well as physical dueling. “…fast-mouthed and funny…It has the old-fashioned Broadway virtues of brightness without pretensions and sentimentality without morals.” —Village Voice. “…unapologetically silly and at times hilarious…affectionately amusing about the theatre…” —NY Times.

Performances are October 6^th-8^th at 7:30pm; October 9^th at 2:00pm and will be presented in the PVCC Studio Theatre/M-East Building located at 34^th Street and Union Hills. Admission is $10 adults; $8 seniors 55 and over; $8 MCCCD staff; $6 student with ID; $4 children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased over the phone with a credit card by calling 602.787.7738 or online at www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa.

NOTE: Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodations for this production. Contact Ben Esh by email at ben.esh@pvmail.maricopa.edu or by phone 602-787-7738 to arrange accommodations.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

PVCC Life Sciences Building awarded

for Environmental Excellence

PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Sept. 27, 2011—Paradise Valley Community College’s Life Sciences Building was chosen from more than 130 entries to receive Phoenix Valley Forward’s 2011 first-place Crescordia Award for its environmentally conscious design and use of sustainable materials.

The award for institutional building design was given Sept. 15, 2011, during Valley Forward’s 31st annual Environmental Excellence Awards gala attended by more than 600 community leaders at The Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale. Held in partnership with Salt River Project, this award spotlights distinguished projects throughout the Valley that demonstrate a high level of environmental commitment and contribute to the region’s overall sustainability.

Valley Forward and SRP presented 19 first‐place Crescordia winners and 30 Awards of Merit. The awards set standards for achieving a balance between the built and natural environment in the region’s physical, technical, social and aesthetic development.

Marlene Imirzian and Associates Architects designed the $17.4 million, 35,000-square-foot Life Sciences Building to foster learning excellence, stimulate curiosity and encourage collaboration. The building is located on the southwest corner of Paradise Valley Community College, a Maricopa Community College, at 18401 N. 32nd St., in Phoenix.

Upon opening in August 2009, the building expanded the college further into the world of biotechnology and created learning spaces intended to bring the entire campus into discussions of science. PVCC has since doubled its course offerings in life sciences and the outdoor gathering pods provide space for informal student learning.

The building uses a diverse pallet of sustainable materials, including concrete floors and masonry, high recycle‐content carpet and tack boards, bamboo doors and millwork, providing an environmentally friendly home for its growing anatomy, physiology and biology programs.

PVCC worked closely with the architects to enhance the building’s green profile by limiting the use of non-renewable energy and construction materials. The building was placed at the existing elevation to eliminate the need to add five feet of soil to build up the slab. The sloped roof funnels rain for irrigation through two columns that also serve as water features.

The Life Sciences building houses the college’s anatomy, physiology, general biology, biotechnology, microbiology, marine biology and environmental biology programs. It includes seven classrooms, six biology labs and two anatomy/physiology labs, one of which is a cadaver lab, plus lab support spaces and offices for faculty and staff. All lecture and lab spaces were designed with technology infrastructures ready to support state-of-the-art teaching equipment and methods.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

Paradise Valley Community College named

2012 Military Friendly School by G.I. Job

September 27, 2011 – Paradise Valley Community College, a Maricopa Community College, has been included in GI Jobs magazine’s 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools^®. This list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s service members and veterans as students.“We are pleased to be recognized as a Military-Friendly College by G.I. Jobs,” said Nancy Epps McNeill, of the PVCC Veterans’ Service Office. “We work hard to help veteran students and their dependents apply for and receive the Veterans Administration educational benefits they have earned. We also provide advising and tutorial services and serve as a student liaison with the Veterans Administration in maintaining benefit eligibility.”

For the first time, G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans to get feedback that provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience based on peer reviews of a particular institution. “The Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the greatest opportunity and overall experience. Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans,” said Michael Dakduk, Executive Director for the Student Veterans of America.

The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools^® was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide that make the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served. The full list can be viewed at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/2012list.

PVCC will be included in a full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools^® in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October. The 2012 list, interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans with their school decisions is online at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com.

The PVCC Veterans’ Services Office encourages student veterans PVCC are encouraged to contact at 602-787-7045 for assistance with educational benefits and the transition from military service. The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays in the Kranitz Student Center, Room KSC-111. Call (602) 787-7028 or go to www.paradisevalley.edu/veterans for more information.

The PVCC Veterans’ Club also organizes worthwhile projects and events pertaining to veterans needs and issues and provides a social group to help them adjust to and become successful in civilian and college life. For details, go to www.paradisevalley.edu/clubs/veterans/.

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Media Contact: Christopher Scinto
christopher.scinto@pvmail.maricopa.edu
602.787.6686

Female Vocalist Auditions for Serious Musicians Only

Looking for three serious female singers that rock!

PHOENIX – Sept. 5, 2011 - As part of the college’s annual Fine Arts Scholarship Fundraiser, 12 professional musicians will perform a series of concerts paying tribute to some of the most important female singers and female musical groups in the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Auditions are 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011.

PVCC’s music department will hold auditions for three female vocalists to perform classic hits by Janis Joplin, Heart, Tori Amos, The Pretenders, Jefferson Airplane, No Doubt, Blondie, Joan Jett and much more! Auditions are for serious musicians only and will be held for three different vocal types or genres – a blues singer (lower voice), a punk rock singer (medium high voice) and a modern rock singer (high voice). Singers will be required to sing both lead and background vocals. The ability to read sheet music is preferred and singers will receive a small honorarium.

Interested vocalists should be prepared to sing the following songs:

Blues Singer/Lower Voice:
Piece of My Heart (Joplin), Rehab (Winehouse), I am the Only One (Etheridge)
Punk Rocker/Medium Voice:
Bad Reputation (Jett), Call Me (Blondie), Celebrity Skin (Hole)
Modern Rock Singer/High Voice:
My Immortal (Evanescence), Crazy on You (Heart), Decode (Paramore)

AUDITIONS MUST BE SCHEDULED BY 3:00 p.m. FRIDAY, October 28, 2011, by phone: 602-787-7738 or email: ben.esh@pvmail.maricopa.edu.

Live performances of “BAD REPUTATION: A Musical Tribute to Women That Rock!” will be held in PVCC’s Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, 2012. The PVCC Center for the Performing Arts is located at 18401 N.32^nd St. Phoenix, west of SR-51 off the Union Hills Drive exit.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

“Watercolors” Art Exhibit at

Paradise Valley Community College

PHOENIX – Sept. 5, 2011 – The Gallery at the Center for Performing Arts at Paradise Valley Community College is pleased to announce the exhibit, “Watercolors” by PVCC’s watercolor community Sept., 12- Oct. 7, 2011, in the Gallery at the Center for the Performing Arts. The exhibit is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This exhibit showcases watercolors by artists within the community. The artworks displayed in “Watercolors” are not just created solely with traditional watercolors; but with mixed media and unprecedented techniques not traditionally used in watercolor painting. These works portray a wide range from still life to illustrations and abstract imagery used within watercolor painting. Artwork is available for purchase.

An artist reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 in the Gallery Lobby. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Event parking is always free.

Fore more information, contact the PVCC Box Office at 602-787-7738 or visit the Center for the Performing Arts website at www.pvc.maricopa.edu/cpa/ or find us on Facebook: PVCC Fine Arts.

Paradise Valley Community College is located at 18401 N.32^nd St., Phoenix, west of the Union Hills Exit off SR-51. The Center for the Performing Arts is located on the northeast end of the campus at 34th Street and Union Hills.

NOTE: Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodations for this production. Contact Ben Esh by email at ben.esh@pvmail.maricopa.edu or by phone 602-787-7738. two weeks prior to the performance to arrange accommodations.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

XPVCC’s new Vice President of Student Affairs

brings a vision of student empowerment

Phoenix – Sept 2, 2011 – Paradise Valley Community College welcomes the newest member of its administrative team, Sandra Miller Holst, Ph.D., as Vice President of Student Affairs.

Dr. Miller Holst’s role at PVCC is to improve operational efficiencies in the college and expand the college’s support of student learning, student engagement and student success. The mission of Student Affairs is to create a positive learning experience that helps students achieve their goals through outreach and retention programs as well as diverse learning opportunities in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Sandra Miller Holst

“Dr. Miller Holst brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in student affairs and strategic planning that will enhance the college’s mission of student success and our core value of student, employee and organizational learning,” said PVCC President Dr. Paul Dale.

Dr. Miller Holst comes to PVCC from Suny’s Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she was Vice President and Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management. At Dutchess, she was a leader in enrollment management, strategic planning, assessment, recruitment and student retention.

“As a transformative leaders whose vision for higher education is grounded in student empowerment, I plan to provide students with access to the programs and services required to support their development as global learners and informed decision makers,” Miller Holst says. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve the students, staff and community at Paradise Valley Community College where learning is embraced, diversity is celebrated and excellence is the tradition.”

Among many accomplishments, she implemented a long-term strategic operational plan for the Student Services Division and coordinated an integrated Student Services/Academic Affairs assessment initiative. She also designed and implemented a model that increased student retention and improved academic performance of educationally challenged learners. She developed a program that resulted in a 12 percent increase in enrollment and improved student performance and retention and initiated a one-stop enrollment process that resulted in a 17 percent increase in newly enrolled freshmen.

Dr. Miller Holst has worked more than 25 years in postsecondary education advocating for access, equity and excellence in higher education. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy, Capella University; Master of Science in Counselor Education and Student Personnel Services, State University of New York, Brockport; Master’s of Education in Educational Administration, Columbia University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, State University of New York, New Paltz.

In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Miller Holst has numerous experiences providing services for and/or related to educationally and economically marginalized students. These include teaching in the classroom, serving as an academic counselor, and being a proposal reviewer for NASPA and the Department of Education. In 2008, she published A Study of the Relationship Between an Intrusive Student Services Model and First Year Retention of Underrepresented At‐Risk Students.

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Media Contact: Nicole DeLeon
Office of Marketing and Public Relations
602-787-6606

The Center for International Studies celebrates

Women in Film during the 2011-2012 Film Festival at PVCC

Phoenix – August 25, 2011 – The 2011-2012 Film Festival at PVCC celebrates “Women in Film” by screening a selection of international comedies and dramas about women each Wednesday evening beginning Sept. 7 in the Center for the Performing Arts. The film festival is sponsored by the Center for International Studies at Paradise Valley Community College. Admission is free.

The Film Festival at PVCC presents cinema as a window onto the richness of our diverse world and our shared humanity and makes entertainment educational and education entertaining. Acclaimed films from around the world are shown to evoke emotion, open discussion and explore cultural diversity and global issues through the imagery of film. The 2011-2012 films include:

AMELIE (Comedy; 2001; France, R)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7
Amelie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love.
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Stars: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz and Rufus

THE STONING OF SORAYA M. (Drama; 2008; R)
6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21
A drama set in 1986 Iran and centered on a man, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village and enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive tyrant had a tragic ending.
Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh
Stars: Shohreh Aghdashloo, James Caviezel and Mozhan Marnò

VOLVER (Comedy; 2006; Spain, R)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5
After her death, a mother returns to her home town in order to fix the situations she couldn’t resolve during her life.
Stars: Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura and Lola Dueñas
Director: Pedro Almodóvar

RAISE THE RED LANTERN (Drama; 1991; China, PG)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19
China in the 1920′s. After her father’s death, 19-year-old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, 50, the lord of a powerful family. Chen has already three wives, each living in separate houses within the great castle. The wives compete for their master’s attention, which carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen decides with which wife to spend the night and lights a red lantern front of the house of his choice. Each wife schemes and plots to make sure it’s hers.
Director: Yimou Zhang
Stars: Li Gong, Jingwu Ma and Saifei He

SOPHIE SCHOLL (Germany, PG-13*)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012
A dramatization of the final days of Sophie Scholl, one of the most famous members of the German World War II anti-Nazi resistance movement, The White Rose. *This film is not rated by the MPAA.
Director: Marc Rothemund
Stars: Julia Jentsch, Fabian Hinrichs and Gerald Alexander Held

CARAMEL (Lebanon, PG)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012
A romantic comedy centered on the daily lives of five Lebanese women living in Beirut.
Director: Nadine Labaki
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Joanna Moukarzel and Gisèle Aouad

WATER (India, PG-13)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
The film examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows, who wants to escape the social restrictions imposed on widows, and a man who is from the highest caste and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
Director: Deepa Mehta
Stars: Lisa Ray, John Abraham and Seema Biswas

Maria Full Of Grace (Columbia/U.S., R)
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2012
A pregnant Colombian teenager becomes a drug mule to make some desperately needed money for her family.
Director: Joshua Marston
Stars: Catalina Sandino Moreno, Guilied Lopez and Orlando Tobón

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Contact: Tom Gariepy, District Director
Marketing and Communications
480.731.8248-office
480.209.6046-cell

Maricopa Community Colleges

New Book Advance Program Begins in Fall Semester

Tempe, AZ, August 18, 2011 – Maricopa Community College students receiving financial aid now have an efficient new way to receive cash advances for books and supplies.

“Book Advances allow students to use a portion of their anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies from any business,” said Kim Granio, associate vice chancellor for business services & controller. “The advances are not free or additional funds, and they are for educational expenses only. Students are not permitted to purchase books for other students.”

Granio said the new book advance program will offer students the same options as the Maricopa Student Refund Program (MSRP), which delivers refunds directly to students. “It’s just like the MSRP that allows you the choice of having your refunds direct deposited into your existing bank account or available via a personalized, Visa prepaid debit card issued to you by Citi,” she said. “Though you can still opt for a paper check, we encourage students to discover the benefits of direct deposit or the debit card to receive their book advance more quickly.”

Information on student eligibility and other details of the Book Advance program are available on line at http://my.maricopa.edu/book-advances/. Information on MSRP is available on line at http://my.maricopa.edu/refund/. Additional questions by students should be directed to the Cashiers or Financial Aid offices of the college they attend.

About the Maricopa Community Colleges: The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, SouthWest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves more than a quarter million students annually. For more information: 480-731-8333, 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu. District News: www.maricopa.edu/press.

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Contact: Tom Gariepy, District Director
Marketing and Communications
480.731.8248-office
480.209.6046-cell

Maricopa Community Colleges Participate

in September’s National Preparedness Month

This September: A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.

Tempe, AZ, August 18, 2011 – It has been 10 years since the events of 9/11, and this September, the Maricopa Community Colleges will mark the anniversary by participating in National Preparedness Month (NPM), an event that was founded after 9/11 to increase preparedness levels across the United States.

The event, now in its eighth year, is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, encouraging households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies. The Maricopa Community Colleges are participating this year by launching an internal awareness campaign that will offer weekly reminders and tips to employees across the Maricopa County Community College District.

“We wanted to begin an internal awareness campaign for this year’s NPM as a way to introduce the event and refamiliarize employees with the Maricopa Emergency Management System (MEMS),” said Cynthia Jensen, the Maricopa Community Colleges District’s new emergency manager. “There are a lot of resources available to all of us for work and home that can help us be prepared and stay prepared for an emergency.”

One of NPM’s key messages is: be prepared in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Preparing can start with three important steps: 1) Get an emergency supply kit; 2) Make a plan for what to do in an emergency; and 3) Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community. This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on turning awareness into action by encouraging individuals and communities nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan. Preparedness information and events will be posted to Ready.gov. Jensen also said additional online resources are available at azdema.gov/, redcross.org/services/disaster, and azein.gov/.

This is the first year the Maricopa Community Colleges have participated in NPM. For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585.

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2011-2012 News Releases

PVCC Senior Night

High school seniors are invited to attend this informational event to learn about their educational options and plan for the future

The Cat’s Meow at Paradise Valley Community College

Transition Fair helps students with disabilities and

their families prepare for college and adult life

Interested in teaching college classes?

Maricopa Community Colleges Board Urges No Guns on Campus

Glasper Opposes Guns on Campus Bill

PVCC/Fresh Start’s women entrepreneurs program

gives inaugural class global view of business start-ups

PVCC Fitness Center offers public memberships

PVCC hosts 2012 Desperado Film Festival

Socially relevant films tackle issues faced by the LGBT community

PVCC campus expansion project to create connections

New front entrance and health sciences building to break ground

PVCC Athletics Earns Accolades

ACCAC names Pumas as 2011 cross country coach and athlete of the year

Maricopa Community Colleges Formally Launch BreatheEasy,

Pledge to Help Employees, Students Quit Tobacco

Men’s Cross Country Wins National Championship

PVCC runners dominate the competition to bring home the 2011 NJCAA title

PVCC earns Phi Theta Kappa Pinnacle Award

Honor society chapter recognized nationally for rise in membership

PVCC hosts NJCAA Men’s soccer national tournament

Pride and Prejudice at PVCC

Division of Fine and Performing Arts Presents Jane Austen play

PVCC poet wins national award

Creative writing student honored for poem ‘A Day’s Work

‘Untour’ Stops at PVCC

Photographer bikes cross-country teaching free digital camera workshops

The PVCC Division of Fine and Performing Arts Presents

‘I Hate Hamlet’

Directed By Andrea Robertson

PVCC Life Sciences Building awarded

for Environmental Excellence

Paradise Valley Community College named

2012 Military Friendly School by G.I. Job

Female Vocalist Auditions for Serious Musicians Only

Looking for three serious female singers that rock!

“Watercolors” Art Exhibit at

Paradise Valley Community College

XPVCC’s new Vice President of Student Affairs

brings a vision of student empowerment

The Center for International Studies celebrates

Women in Film during the 2011-2012 Film Festival at PVCC

Maricopa Community Colleges

New Book Advance Program Begins in Fall Semester

Maricopa Community Colleges Participate

in September’s National Preparedness Month

This September: A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.

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High school seniors are invited to attend this informational
event to learn about their educational options and plan for the future