MARICOPA COMMUNITY C OLLEGES FOUNDATION

Changing Lives. Building Futures. Your Donor Newsletter Summer & Fall 2015

10th annual Heroes of Education In This Issue event Honors Linda Mazon Gutierrez Heroes of Education page 1 and College Heroes CEO Message page 2 This year marked the 10th individuals, organizations The Campaign page 3 anniversary of the Heroes or companies who have Scholarship Update page 3 of Education Dinner which distinguished themselves by was held at the Sheraton in providing exceptional support Employee Recognition page 4 on and/or service to one of the April 16, 2015. More than Colleges. Those honored at the Maricopa Gives page 5 440 community and business event include: The Honorable Student Spotlight page 5 leaders were in attendance Adolfo Gamez (Estrella this year and over $120,000 Mountain Community College), New Employees page 6-7 in scholarship funds Elizabeth Acord Maribito were raised (Gateway Community College), Student Success page 7 Linda Mazon Gutierrez, 2015 Hero of Education Dr. Ruth Tan Lim (Mesa Linda Mazon Gutierrez, President & CEO of the Community College), Glendale Rotary (Glendale Hispanic Women’s Corporation (HWC), was Community College), Warren Buxton (Paradise recognized for her personal and professional Valley Community College), Chief Kara Kalkbrenner commitment to support Maricopa Community (), The Honorable Harry Mitchell The Maricopa Community College students and educational opportunities. Ms. (), (Scottsdale Colleges Foundation Gutierrez and the HWC have successfully partnered Community College) and Dr. Yvonne D. Montiel 2419 W. 14th Street with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (South Mountain Community College). Tempe, 85281 mcccdf.org since 2006 to provide scholarships for graduates of the Maricopa Community Colleges Achieving a Since its inception in 2006, the Heroes of 480.731.8407 College Education (ACE) program. Ms. Gutierrez has Education event has raised over $1 million served as the congressional and state legislative liaison on health care issues for the State of Arizona in scholarship funds to support Maricopa Request an on-line edition of the

newsletter from leticia.graham- Health Care Cost Containment System for 25 Community College students. [email protected] years and prior to her retirement in 2007 from state government served as the liaison to the National “We are grateful for our community’s commitment Governor’s Association in Washington D.C. Ms. to build the scholarship support that we provide to Gutierrez is married to former State Senator Jaime students in the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges,” Gutierrez and together they have four children. said Dr. Steve Helfgot, CEO of MCCF. “This dinner

MARICOPA is just one of the many fundraising efforts of our COMMUNITY Also recognized at a special ceremony prior to the Foundation, District and Colleges. It’s an investment COLLEGES FOUNDATION dinner were 10 College Heroes, one from each of not only in our students, but in the future wellbeing the Maricopa Community Colleges, representing and vitality of our community. “ “Breaking Up is 2015-2016 MCCF Hard to Do!” Board Members Executive Officers *Dr. Rufus Glasper Chancellor Do you remember that song? It was a big hit Chair Maricopa Community for Neal Sedaka in 1975, remember? If you Russell Johnson Colleges President & CEO do that’s pretty good . . . and you’re probably Merchants Information *Alfredo Gutierrez Solutions, Inc. Governing Board of “a certain age.” But if you remember that Member, Maricopa Vice Chair Community Colleges the first time he had a hit with that song was Ashley Kasarjian in 1962 you are REALLY of “a certain age”… Counsel Antonio Hampton Snell & Wilmer LLP Operations Director, probably somewhere around my age! Southwest Region Secretary Xerox Corporation Rodolfo Parga, Jr. So, by now you are probably wondering what the point is and what, in fact, this has to do Managing Shareholder *Johanna Haver Ryley Carlock & Governing Board with anything. I’ll tell you. Applewhite Member, Maricopa Community Colleges Treasurer David P. Kohne Stephanie Hertzberg As I write this I am three weeks from retirement, the conclusion of a 44 year career in Director Director, Business community colleges including 13 years with the Maricopa Community Colleges and seven KPMG LLP Development Smith Group JJR of those years as President & CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. I am Immediate Past Chair Edmundo Hidalgo clearly of “a certain age,” and while my retirement has been long planned (with lots of exciting Heidi R. Schaefer President & CEO things on the horizon), nonetheless, “breaking up is hard to do.” Director, Corporate Chicanos Por La Taxes Causa, Inc. Salt River Project *Irene H. Kovala It’s not hard leaving the day-to-day grind of the work behind; I’ve been working for a long President & Chief President Executive Officer Glendale Community time. What’s hard is separating—at least to some extent—from the people who have so Dr. Steven R. Helfgot College enriched that work and made it so worthwhile, day-in-and-day-out, year-in-and-year-out, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Richard Loope and it is to those people that I want to say thanks. Founder & President Board of Directors HL Design Build, LLC Thanks, first, to all of you in our community, who support us, who make gifts to the Lydia A. Aranda Kirk McClure Co-Founder Director, Business Foundation and allow us to do the work that we do and create opportunity for students. BASC American Development Group McCarthy Building It’s obvious but true—we couldn’t do it without you. Companies Inc. Lynne Beyer Owner Chery Milovich And thanks to all those students, some who I’ve come to know and others who I have never Lynne Beyer Design Mainstream Marketing Inc. Services LLC met, who are hungry for educational opportunity, grateful beyond belief, for the support that Richard L. Boals *Dennis E. Mitchem they get from us and who often bring us to tears and always make us proud with what they President & CEO (Honorary Life accomplish in school and beyond. BlueCross BlueShield Member) of Arizona Dr. Ioanna Morfessis *Dr. Chris A. President A special thank you to all of those who have served on the Maricopa Community Colleges Bustamante IO.INC. President Foundation Board during my tenure. Your support has been a treasure. Your willingness to Rio Salado College Julie R. Rees push us has helped us to become a better organization. Your enthusiasm, your commitment, Principal *Dr. Donald R. Triadvocates your gifts of time, talent and treasure have inspired us all. Campbell (Honorary Life Linda B. Rosenthal Member) Retired Governing Finally, a profound and heartfelt thanks to my colleagues on the Maricopa Community Retired Governing Board Member, Board Member, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation staff. Each has unique talents and skills, but individually and collectively Maricopa Community Colleges Colleges what they share is a passion for our mission, a deep devotion to helping students and a true Joellen Tenison Steve Curley Vice President, desire to make a difference. It’s hard to ask for more and it has been both an honor and a Executive Vice Administration & CFO pleasure to work with each and every one of them. President Health Services Western Alliance Bank Advisory Group *Dr. Paul Dale Misha Patel Terrazas Enough said; thank you all! President Area President, Paradise Valley Metro East Community College Wells Fargo Bank Arizona *Dr. Paul A. Elsner (Honorary Life Wendy Villa Member) Government Affairs Chancellor Emeritus Arizona Public Service Paul Elsner Associates Company Los Vientos, Inc. Deb Vosler Steven R. Helfgot, Ed.D *LeRoy M. Gaintner Senoir Business (Honorary Life Analyst President and CEO Member) Discount Tire CPA/Managing Partner Staff Gaintner, Bandler, Reed & Peters PLC Mary O’Connor Executive Vice *Dr. Eugene Giovannini President & Chief President Operating Officer Maricopa Corporate College *Ex Officio 2 The Power of Determination Angie Rose dropped out of school in scholarship her last year at the college. Advisory Board for the Nina Mason 8th grade. She did not attend high She decided she was going to go to Pulliam Scholarship. ASU, but did not apply for the Nina school and had her first of 5 children Mason Pulliam Passport Scholarship Angie is motivated by goals and is at the age of 17. She is a single mother. because she felt there were others more not happy if she is not on her way to worthy than her to get it and also felt achieving something or heading towards At 30, she went she had only had it for one year so she a goal. Her advice to other students in back to school. wouldn’t be qualified. Eventually, the similar situations is to find what drives She enrolled Scholarship committee contacted her to you and that failure is not an option. originally at find out why she didn’t apply – and they You should have no choice than to be Phoenix College made it happen when a spot became successful. but withdrew. available. For the future, Angie says she wants to She enrolled Angie spent 3 years at ASU, while stay with Maricopa Community Colleges. again, at still working at GateWay (and raising She wants to work with communities GateWay CC and got 2 B’s which gave 5 children) and got her degree in guiding them towards education. She’s her the confidence to move ahead with Psychology. She then became a Board passionate about low socio economic her education. Approved employee at GateWay for areas and wants to make people aware the Student Services department of the opportunities and resources that Angie participated in the GateWay Work/ (Professional Status). She is half way are available. She feels there is a lot of Study Program in their Financial Aid through her graduate degree at Grand untapped talent out there and everybody Department. She then applied for and Canyon University and now works in needs to be involved. was awarded the Nina Mason Pulliam Advisement at GateWay and is on the

Scholarship Update Targeted Campaign Did you know that the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Reaches Out to Our Alums awards thousands of scholarships each year to Maricopa Community College students totaling over 1.7 million dollars? We want to stay in touch with our alumnae and share in their The average award per student is approximately $700 and over five success. That is why the Maricopa Community Colleges thousand students applied last year using the Foundation’s new Foundation has launched a special marketing campaign online scholarship database. This system makes it even easier for targeting those who have walked through our doors. students to apply for and navigate the many scholarships available. Students are automatically matched to many scholarships they may By simply asking, “How have you been?” via ads in local qualify for based on their answers on one application. The number online media, the Foundation is asking readers to fill out a of scholarships awarded to students continues to grow every year, brief questionnaire at mcccdf.org/alum, in order to obtain as more and more funds that go directly to helping students are student success stories and to stay connected with this very being raised. important audience.

In addition to the scholarships already available through the Reaching out to our alumnae through social media also plays Foundation, there is a new opportunity courtesy of the Arizona an important role in this effort. Therefore, Facebook and Federal Credit Union. Ten students who are credit union members Twitter posts were added to extend the dialogue between the have been awarded $1,000 each for the 2015-2016 academic year Foundation, former students and scholarship recipients. through the Arizona Federal Credit Union Scholarship Endowment. Thank you to the Arizona Federal Credit Union for providing Community participation is key when launching an effort such additional opportunities for credit union members attending as this, and the Foundation has been lucky to have its board Maricopa colleges. members and partner organizations extend this messaging via personalized emails and newsletter articles to their contacts Due to the growing amount of applications received, the and staff. Foundation is always seeking volunteers to assist in the review process. If you or someone you know would like more We’re learning a lot about our former students and are eager information on how to become a scholarship reviewer, please to share their successes. So if you, your friends or family email the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation at have a story to tell, please visit mcccdf.org/alum and spread [email protected]. Also, to check out the word! the new scholarship system please visit www.mcccdf.org and click on “Scholarships”. 3 Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Honors Five at Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation each year recognizes MCCCD employees who have made outstanding contributions to the District’s mission.

This year, five awards were made to individual employees at a luncheon held April 28, 2015 at the Foundation’s offices. Dr. Steven Helfgot, CEO/President of MCCF presided over the luncheon and remarks were made by Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor, MCCCD and Heidi Schaefer, Chairman, MCCF Board.

The 2015 Recipients of the Employee

Recognition Awards are: Dr. Steven Helfgot, Heidi Schaefer, Miguel Fernandez, Dr. Heather Weber, Frank Wilson accepting on behalf of Dr. Bryan Tippett and Dr. Christopher Scinto and Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper. Not pictured, Buddy Cheeks. Dr. Christopher Scinto, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), Division events. Dr. Weber’s contributions to the Chair of Fine and Performing Arts who MCCC District and student body are has served PVCC since 2011. Under unparalleled, focusing on reaching out Dr. Scinto’s leadership students have into the community to build partnerships flourished and demonstrated success that support funding, internships and in the arts; significant community future job opportunities for EMCC partnerships and notable scholarships. students. In just the last five years, PVCC Center for Performing Arts has provided over Miguel Fernandez, Chandler-Gilbert 625 performances, drawing over 69,000 Community College (CGCC), English community attendees. Through various Faculty, spent his sabbatical semester Dr. Steven Helfgot, Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper, benefit events, more than $40,500 has researching and developing an online Heidi Schaefer, Buddy Cheeks, & Dr. Cheryl Crutcher been raised for Fine and Performing Arts training program to assist faculty scholarships. members in understanding and dealing and led EMCC to become a learning-

with student veterans. This tool met a centered organization deeply valuing Landres “Buddy” Cheeks, South significant need for the MCCC District teaching, learning and caring. Mountain Community College (SMCC), to provide accurate, comprehensive and Director of Student Life and Leadership, easily accessible training for meeting the Five awards were made in the form is known for his dedicated long-time needs of this diverse population. The of $1,000 scholarship given in each position as a Maricopa leader, student program, “Toolkit for Training Faculty to awardee’s name to a student at any advocate and role model. Recognized for Best Serve Student Veterans,” is available college or center. Awardees may help his commitment to equality, inclusiveness free of charge and is being introduced to select criteria for awarding the scholarship and cultural enrichment, Mr. Cheek’s colleges across the country. based on MCCF guidelines. contributions to SMCC positively impacts students who learn by doing and giving Dr. Bryan Tippet (awarded All MCCCD employees were eligible for back to the community. posthumously), EMCC, Vice President nomination, regardless of employment

of Academic and Student Affairs, status or policy group membership. Dr. Heather Weber, Estrella Mountain was a champion of student success, Nominations were submitted by Community College (EMCC), Dean for devoting his professional life to making MCCCD employees, and were Occupational Education, was honored sure that all students have access to a reviewed by a panel of MCCF Board for her support of students, faculty, quality education. Dr. Tippet built lasting members and/or community leaders. staff, District policies and community partnerships with numerous institutions 4 The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation launched the professional satisfaction that each leader obtains from giving. Each inaugural Maricopa Gives from March 26 through April 23 to a participating college also sent customized appeals throughout the giving period. The Foundation provided support to the colleges

resounding success! with unified graphics, branding, giving options and semi-custom giving pages. Maricopa Gives was an organized effort across the colleges and District whereby employees had an opportunity to financially • The results of the Maricopa Gives Campaign as of May 18: contribute to support Maricopa • Seven colleges plus the District and Foundation offices Maricopa Gives marked students and programs. Each participated week of the Maricopa Gives the first time that • A total of 567 employees responded to the Maricopa Gives campaign, an email from a colleges embarked on appeal and raised a total of $143,248; with new gifts still Maricopa leader was sent to arriving daily. a unified, employee encourage participation. The • Two colleges held employee giving campaigns earlier in giving campaign, theme of the emails centered the year bringing the total Maricopa employee participation on, “Why do I give/support the exemplifying the spirit for 2014-2015 to 862 and raising a total of $312,806. This Maricopa Community Colleges” of One Maricopa. represents an increase of 34% in dollars and focused on the personal and

Eventually, he found Student Success: Nathan Freeman himself sitting across from Nathan Freeman is a civil engineering major at Glendale a college advisor. Community College. He’s an honors student, has posted the highest math score for his college in the National Student Math With kids in tow, Nathan knew League competition, designs weather balloon experiments under that the way to find lasting peace a NASA educational grant and is a member of the American was to get a degree. Wondering Society of Civil Engineers. how he could make a prolific change, Nathan’s advisor said, Who would have thought? “Well, it all depends on how you’re willing to live. How bad you want this? Would you sell your car, live with others, be less impactful in your children’s lives short-term to be more impactful Nathan smoked his first cigarette and his first beer at just 9 years long-term? If you commit, there is money and help from a old. By 24, he was a full-time meth user and at 14, dropped out community waiting for you.” of high school, eventually winding up in a detox unit at Durango Juvenile Corrections Facility – facing up to a year at the Adobe Mountain Juvenile Corrections Facility. He had completed or had Nathan committed, took a chance and his been kicked out of many out-patient drug rehabilitation facilities community responded. and had been declared legally incorrigible through a joint action taken by his parents and the State of Arizona. He lives with his parents. Nathan sold his car and bought a used one that he owns outright. He has paid off nearly all his debt With help from friends and family, Nathan climbed out of his dark and even built his family’s bedroom furniture on his own, to hole. He earned his GED and began working full-time and by age save money. 26, he was a construction project manager, managing a multi- dollar portfolio of projects as a consultant. He owned a home, Nathan hopes to use his skills as an engineer with the Engineers his own car, paid his taxes as raised a family. Without Borders program to engage philanthropically after he graduates. Nathan says, “It’s the spirit of philanthropy that drives Then the recession hit. our community to improve by investing in each other and having the faith that together we can be better.” Phoenix’s economy came to a halt and the economy that Nathan relied on dried-up. Nathan’s lack of a normal education made him Nathan has been awarded the following scholarships form the vulnerable and he was laid-off. He went from being recognized Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and GCC in particular: from 2 municipalities for his work in improving air quality, to The Manny and Sue Griego Memorial Scholarship, watching his marriage deteriorate as well as his savings account. PSA Scholarship, Dougherty Foundation Scholarship, He lost everything and was alone, with two children. and Evening Student Foundation Scholarship. 5 Welcoming Our Newest Employees!

We are proud to introduce our latest additions to the Foundation Family. We’re so excited that they are part of Christopher our team. Here’s why: LeBlanc:

Christopher is the Raiser’s Edge Rosalie Johnson: Database Analyst. He was born in Cedar Rapids, IA and spent Rosalie provides Accounts his youth traveling with his Navy Payable and Grant family. He has lived in Honolulu, Administration. She was born HI, Washington, DC and has and raised in Phoenix. She traveled to almost everywhere graduated from North High, in between. Christopher moved to Phoenix in January of 2000 and completed a Management after spending 11 years in San Diego where he worked as a degree at Phoenix College. Fashion Consultant, Travel Agent and he tracked down bone From there she decided to marrow transplant matches for the San Diego Blood Bank’s complete a B.S. degree in Bone Marrow Donor Center. Public Management from Northern Arizona University. While Since moving to Phoenix, Christopher has spent 15 years as going to school, Rosalie worked full time at a software company Fund Development Administrator for Arizona nonprofit agencies that designed accounting and tracking systems for the and he has consulted on the use of the Raiser’s Edge and other dental laboratories. Over the 15 years she was there she was fundraising practices. responsible for both accounts receivable and payable along with customer service to 3000 dental laboratories. When Rosalie is Christopher enjoys traveling, couponing, and cooking the not at work she is spending time with her husband, son, and produce from his garden. Figs, pomegranates, tomatoes, basil 2 rambunctious cats. Some of the things she likes to do in her and the ubiquitous citrus are regular players in his kitchen. He spare time are crafts, gardening, and reading. She is also very also has an extensive collection of refrigerator magnets from active in volunteering at her son’s school by helping put together across the globe. social and fundraising events on campus. Rosalie is excited to be part of the Maricopa Community Colleges team and to see As Database Analyst, Christopher is looking forward to how scholarships can impact a student’s future. supporting Raiser’s Edge software users throughout the One Maricopa team. Laurel Mauldin: Save the Date Laurel grew up in the warm, sunny area of South Florida; she attended the University of Florida for her B.S. in Advertising April 21, 2016 and began a Masters degree at Heroes of Education the University of Central Florida. In the midst of completing her Recognition Dinner Masters degree in Nonprofit Management she moved to 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Phoenix to work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel After finishing her Masters she decided to pursue missionary Valley of the Sun Ballroom work with Christian Record Services for the Blind, a Seventh-day 340 N. 3rd Street, Adventist nonprofit organization that provides reading materials, Phoenix, AZ 85004 scholarships and a summer/winter camps for the blind. After working as a full-time missionary and gift officer she prayed For sponsorship opportunities and for a job as a Prospect Researcher and was blessed to begin information, please contact Letty at: at Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation in April as the [email protected], Prospect Research & Online Resources Coordinator. She enjoys or call 480-731-8399. researching, reading and studying the Bible. Her second favorite book after the Bible is the Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White.

6 Judy Sánchez

Judy is the Director of College Relations. She has been with the Maricopa Community College District (MCCCD) for 15 years.

Prior to moving to MCCF, she was the Director of Development at Glendale Community College (GCC). During the time at GCC she was responsible for fundraising/development, donor and alumni relations. As a result of her on-going effort to cultivate new donors, build long-term relationships and increase giving, GCC’s scholarship program grew revenue by 600 percent and increased the donor base by 800 percent. This resulted in raising $3.2 million in private funding for students.

Prior to working in education, she coordinated events for national clients and non-profit organizations as principal and owner of Sánchez Special Events.

Educational background includes Associate in Arts degree from Glendale Community College, Bachelor of Science in Global Business from and a Master of Administration in Leadership and Communication from Northern Arizona University.

Judy enjoys musical theater, a good book, a great meal and adores her rescue dogs George and Molly. She is married to Jim and has one grown son, Brandon.

Judy is looking forward to continuing to build strong relationships between the colleges and the Foundation, building more collaborative projects and bringing innovative ideas to the development efforts of Maricopa.

Go Green. Send an email message today to: Leticia.graham-corona @domail. maricopa.edu

We’ll add or update your record, and you’ll start receiving news- letters and the annual report electronically. We will continue to find ways to move more correspondence to paper-free platforms now and in the future.

7 MARICOPA NONPROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION COLLEGES US POSTAGE FOUNDATION PAID PHOENIX, AZ 2419 W. 14th Street PERMIT NO. 449 Tempe, Arizona 85281

www.mcccdf.org

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Scottsdale Community College

Estrella Mountain Community College Paradise Valley Community College South Mountain Community College

GateWay Community College Phoenix College Maricopa Corporate College

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization designated by the Maricopa County Community College District to receive and manage gifts on behalf of its 10 colleges. It acts as a trustee for donations to assure that gifts are distributed in the manner specified by the donor. Federal I.D. #86-0327449. Contributions are tax Glendale Community College Rio Salado College deductible to the extent allowed by law. 8